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Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS·Public·18,092 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 18,092 students.

76%
Accept
18,092
Students
$15,501
Net Price
63%
Grad Rate
$47,400
Earnings
10 yr
$16,324
Debt

About This School

Mississippi State University is a public institution located in Mississippi State, Mississippi with approximately 18,092 undergraduate students enrolled. Mississippi State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 76%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,501 per year. The graduation rate is 63%, and the typical graduate earns $47,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science, commonly known as Mississippi State University (MSU), is a public land-grant research university in Mississippi State, Mississippi, United States. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity".

This land-grant research university offers a genuinely affordable path — median debt at graduation is just $16,324, which is low relative to median earnings of $47,400 a decade out. It's worth considering for students drawn to agriculture, engineering, or applied sciences who want a large state school experience without the heavy financial burden. The 63% graduation rate is worth watching, though, so be honest about whether you'll thrive in a setting where nearly 4 in 10 students don't finish.

Founded
1878
Setting
Remote town
Conference
Southeastern Conference

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing18%
Engineering17%
Education8%
Psychology7%
Biological Sciences6%
Communications3%
Social Sciences3%
Computer Science2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

John GrishamMarsha BlackburnMarco AropAnderson PetersMachine Gun KellyRafael Leonardo Callejas RomeroJohn C. StennisFalilat OgunkoyaHerschell Gordon LewisRodney HoodJon HeidenreichCommodore Cochran

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1220
Reading 75th %ile690
Math 75th %ile720

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite26

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$9,815
Out-of-State Tuition
$26,580
Avg Net Price
$15,501
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants29%
Median debt at graduation$16,324

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
63%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
83%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$47,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$16,324
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$16,324
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$37,100
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$47,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.9x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White74%
Black15%
Hispanic/Latino4%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (18,092 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Mississippi State University

Lee Boulevard

Mississippi State, MS 39762

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Mississippi

Browse all Mississippi schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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