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Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Mississippi State University is a public institution in Mississippi State with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1220, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 18.1K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

63% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $51,513 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,501.

Established
1878
Motto
"Learning, Service, Research"
Mascot
Bully the Bulldog
Type
Public land-grant research university
Conference
Division I of the NCAA
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

76%Acceptance
1220SAT Avg
18,092Students
16:1Student:Faculty
63%Grad Rate
$51,513Earnings 10yr
$15,501Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate76.3%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1220

Reading & WritingMid: 580
570690
MathMid: 575
540720

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 26
2129

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,815
Tuition (out-of-state)$26,580
Room & Board$12,293
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$26,922
Average Net Price$15,501
Median Debt at Graduation$22,142
Monthly Payment (10yr)$235

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,968
$30–48K$12,879
$48–75K$16,750
$75–110K$19,608
$110K+$20,463

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

61.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,324

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

118

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

24

Burglary

5

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

8

Motor Vehicle Theft

14

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

36

Drug Arrests

27

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (344)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

83%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
18,092
Gender Split
51% / 49%
Women / Men
First Generation
25%
Pell Grant Recipients
29%

Race & Ethnicity

White 74%
Black 15%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 2%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate62.9%
Freshman Retention82.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,487
10 Years$51,513

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#214
vs 2024
Forbes
#242
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#254
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Bulldogs

College world

History & Fun Facts

  • It was created by the Mississippi Legislature on February 28, 1878, to offer training in "agriculture, horticulture and the mechanical arts ...
  • " The university received its first students in the fall of 1880 in the presidency of General Stephen D.
  • In 1887 Congress passed the Hatch Act, which provided for the establishment of the Agricultural Experiment Station in 1888.
  • The Cooperative Extension Service was established in 1914 by the Smith-Lever Act.
  • In 1932, the Legislature renamed the university as Mississippi State College.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

84Low

Estimated from MS state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Nashvillepop. 690K
219 mi(380 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
254 mi(440 min)
New Orleanspop. 380K
254 mi(440 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

BHM Birmingham118 mi
MEM Memphis129 mi
BNA Nashville220 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1142 mi · ~32h 59m drive
New York, NY955 mi · ~27h 35m drive
Hartford, CT1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Providence, RI1110 mi · ~32h 4m drive
Albany, NY1033 mi · ~29h 51m drive
Syracuse, NY952 mi · ~27h 30m drive
Rochester, NY902 mi · ~26h 3m drive
Buffalo, NY844 mi · ~24h 23m drive
Philadelphia, PA877 mi · ~25h 20m drive
Pittsburgh, PA684 mi · ~19h 46m drive
Harrisburg, PA808 mi · ~23h 21m drive
Newark, NJ948 mi · ~27h 23m drive
Washington, DC755 mi · ~21h 49m drive
Baltimore, MD787 mi · ~22h 44m drive
Atlanta, GA254 mi · ~7h 20m drive
Charlotte, NC469 mi · ~13h 33m drive
Raleigh, NC599 mi · ~17h 18m drive
Miami, FL741 mi · ~21h 24m drive
Orlando, FL555 mi · ~16h 2m drive
Tampa, FL535 mi · ~15h 27m drive
Nashville, TN219 mi · ~6h 20m drive
New Orleans, LA254 mi · ~7h 20m drive
Richmond, VA698 mi · ~20h 10m drive
Chicago, IL585 mi · ~16h 54m drive
Detroit, MI688 mi · ~19h 53m drive
Minneapolis, MN831 mi · ~24h drive
St. Louis, MO366 mi · ~10h 34m drive
Kansas City, MO506 mi · ~14h 37m drive
Indianapolis, IN460 mi · ~13h 17m drive
Columbus, OH552 mi · ~15h 57m drive
Cleveland, OH678 mi · ~19h 35m drive
Milwaukee, WI664 mi · ~19h 11m drive
Dallas, TX466 mi · ~13h 28m drive
Houston, TX464 mi · ~13h 24m drive
Austin, TX569 mi · ~16h 26m drive
San Antonio, TX636 mi · ~18h 22m drive
Los Angeles, CA1687 mi · ~48h 44m drive
San Francisco, CA1902 mi · ~54h 57m drive
San Diego, CA1638 mi · ~47h 19m drive
Seattle, WA1993 mi · ~57h 35m drive
Portland, OR1971 mi · ~56h 56m drive
Denver, CO996 mi · ~28h 46m drive
Phoenix, AZ1339 mi · ~38h 41m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1364 mi · ~39h 24m drive
Honolulu, HI4245 mi · ~122h 38m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Mississippi State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications