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PublicRuralHBCU

Mississippi Valley State University

Itta Bena, Mississippi 38941-1400

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitRuralSports cultureHBCU

Close-knit campus — excellent value

Mississippi Valley State University is a public institution in Itta Bena with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 910, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.3K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

22% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $31,919 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,812.

Established
1950
Motto
"Live for Service"
Mascot
Delta Devil
Type
Public historically black university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

51%Acceptance
910SAT Avg
1,326Students
13:1Student:Faculty
22%Grad Rate
$31,919Earnings 10yr
$11,812Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate51.2%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 16
1418

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$7,912
Tuition (out-of-state)$7,912
Room & Board$8,112
Books & Supplies$2,000
Total Cost of Attendance$21,606
Average Net Price$11,812
Median Debt at Graduation$28,413
Monthly Payment (10yr)$301

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,034
$30–48K$12,613
$48–75K$14,074
$75–110K$12,513
$110K+$10,335

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

46.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,203

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

7

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (35)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

58%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,326
Gender Split
50% / 50%
Women / Men
First Generation
43%
Pell Grant Recipients
60%

Race & Ethnicity

White 2%
Black 89%
Hispanic 2%
Two+ 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate22.1%
Freshman Retention57.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$25,817
10 Years$31,919

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

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Basketball

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1964, Mississippi Vocational College was renamed Mississippi Valley State College.
  • In February 1969, a nonviolent student boycott, which included eight hundred students, male and female, was organized to protest President James Herbert White's administration.

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

New Orleanspop. 380K
247 mi(428 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
272 mi(471 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
343 mi(595 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MEM Memphis108 mi
BHM Birmingham207 mi
MSY New Orleans243 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1211 mi · ~34h 59m drive
New York, NY1026 mi · ~29h 38m drive
Hartford, CT1119 mi · ~32h 20m drive
Providence, RI1180 mi · ~34h 5m drive
Albany, NY1098 mi · ~31h 43m drive
Syracuse, NY1011 mi · ~29h 12m drive
Rochester, NY957 mi · ~27h 39m drive
Buffalo, NY897 mi · ~25h 55m drive
Philadelphia, PA949 mi · ~27h 25m drive
Pittsburgh, PA744 mi · ~21h 30m drive
Harrisburg, PA876 mi · ~25h 18m drive
Newark, NJ1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
Washington, DC829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
Baltimore, MD860 mi · ~24h 51m drive
Atlanta, GA343 mi · ~9h 55m drive
Charlotte, NC554 mi · ~16h drive
Raleigh, NC683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
Miami, FL811 mi · ~23h 26m drive
Orlando, FL632 mi · ~18h 15m drive
Tampa, FL605 mi · ~17h 29m drive
Nashville, TN272 mi · ~7h 51m drive
New Orleans, LA247 mi · ~7h 8m drive
Richmond, VA776 mi · ~22h 25m drive
Chicago, IL597 mi · ~17h 15m drive
Detroit, MI727 mi · ~21h drive
Minneapolis, MN807 mi · ~23h 19m drive
St. Louis, MO353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Kansas City, MO452 mi · ~13h 3m drive
Indianapolis, IN490 mi · ~14h 9m drive
Columbus, OH603 mi · ~17h 25m drive
Cleveland, OH727 mi · ~21h drive
Milwaukee, WI671 mi · ~19h 23m drive
Dallas, TX377 mi · ~10h 53m drive
Houston, TX393 mi · ~11h 21m drive
Austin, TX489 mi · ~14h 8m drive
San Antonio, TX557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
Los Angeles, CA1598 mi · ~46h 10m drive
San Francisco, CA1816 mi · ~52h 28m drive
San Diego, CA1549 mi · ~44h 45m drive
Seattle, WA1921 mi · ~55h 30m drive
Portland, OR1896 mi · ~54h 46m drive
Denver, CO918 mi · ~26h 31m drive
Phoenix, AZ1250 mi · ~36h 7m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1284 mi · ~37h 6m drive
Honolulu, HI4156 mi · ~120h 4m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Mississippi Valley State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications