Mississippi State Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Mississippi State University is a public research university in Mississippi State, Mississippi, with about 18,397 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 77.64% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $51,513 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,202
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,595 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 77.64% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 18,397 91.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 66.67%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 24.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 2.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 83.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1219
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,101
- Applicants (IPEDS): 20,877
- Room & Board: $12,902 annual estimate
Mississippi State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Mississippi State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (ZIP 39762).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Mississippi State University public or private?
Mississippi State University is a Public institution.
How much does Mississippi State University cost?
Published tuition: $10,202 in-state, $27,637 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $17,595.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $14,332 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $14,372 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $18,671 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,704 |
| $110,001+ | $22,987 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $40,808.
How hard is it to get into Mississippi State University?
Admission rate: 77.64%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1219 and midpoint ACT 26.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Mississippi State University?
Total enrollment: 18,397 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 20,101 students.
Graduate enrollment: 4,583 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Mississippi State University?
150%-time completion rate: 66.67%.
First-year retention: 82.5%.
What do graduates of Mississippi State University earn?
Median earnings: $43,487 six years after entry; $51,513 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,142.
29.33% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Mississippi State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (634 completions)
- Psychology, General (279 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (260 completions)
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (233 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (227 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (223 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (177 completions)
- Accounting (154 completions)
- Geology/Earth Science, General (147 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (142 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Mississippi State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 77.64%; completion rate 66.67%; median earnings $51,513 at 10 years; net price $17,595. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,202
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Mississippi State University was $10,202.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,595
2024 Value
In 2024 Mississippi State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,595.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$70,380 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,595 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$40,808 4-Year In-State Tuition
$110,548 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,902 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$24,304 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$97,216 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Mississippi State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
29.33% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
38.69% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Mississippi State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Mississippi State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,772 | $16,960 | $15,983 |
| 2014 | $7,140 | $18,478 | $15,902 |
| 2015 | $7,502 | $20,142 | $16,035 |
| 2016 | $7,780 | $20,900 | $15,656 |
| 2017 | $8,318 | $22,358 | $16,192 |
| 2018 | $8,650 | $23,250 | $16,830 |
| 2019 | $8,910 | $23,950 | $16,173 |
| 2020 | $8,910 | $23,950 | $16,122 |
| 2021 | $9,220 | $24,900 | $15,891 |
| 2022 | $9,398 | $25,444 | $15,910 |
| 2023 | $9,815 | $26,580 | $15,501 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
77.64% Acceptance Rate
20,877 Total Applicants
15,934 Students Admitted
3,751 First-Time Students Enrolled
23.54% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1219
ACT Average: 26
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Mississippi State University reported total enrollment of about 18,397 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 49% male and 51% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (72.5%), Black or African American (15.8%), and Hispanic or Latino (4.6%). About 29.33% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 24.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Mississippi State University in 2024 is 18,397 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 20,101 students. Graduate enrollment is about 4,583 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
82.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 72.5%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
45.94% 100% Completion Time
66.67% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 45.94% of students graduating from Mississippi State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 57% male / 43% female
- Psychology, General: 20% male / 80% female
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 42% male / 58% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Mississippi State University.
Return on Investment
$22,142 Median Student Debt
$51,513 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
42.98% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
631.93% Return on Investment
4.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Mississippi State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 109 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 634 completions
2. Psychology, General: 279 completions
3. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 260 completions
4. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: 233 completions
5. Elementary Education and Teaching: 227 completions
6. Mechanical Engineering: 223 completions
7. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 177 completions
8. Accounting: 154 completions
9. Geology/Earth Science, General: 147 completions
Most popular programs at Mississippi State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Mississippi State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Mississippi State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 83.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,100
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,632
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Mississippi State University is a public institution located in Mississippi State, MS, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Exercise Science and Kinesiology. Enrollment is approximately 18,397 students. Student body composition includes White (72.5%), Black or African American (15.8%), Hispanic or Latino (4.6%). The admission rate is 77.64%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1219. The 150%-time completion rate is 66.67%. Approximately 29.33% of students receive Pell Grants. About 24.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 109 distinct degree programs, Mississippi State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mississippi State University located?
Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS.
What is Mississippi State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Mississippi State University is 77.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 20,877 applicants and 15,934 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Mississippi State University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,202 and average net price is $17,595 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,902 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 20,101 students, White (72.5%), Black or African American (15.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Mississippi State University?
About 24.9% of students at Mississippi State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Mississippi State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Mississippi State University reports midpoint SAT about 1219 and midpoint ACT about 26.
What do graduates of Mississippi State University earn?
Median earnings are $43,487 six years after entry and $51,513 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Mississippi State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 66.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Mississippi State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,142.
Is Mississippi State University public or private?
Mississippi State University is a public institution located in Mississippi State, MS.
Is Mississippi State University an HBCU?
No. Mississippi State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Mississippi State University a tribal college?
No. Mississippi State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Mississippi college profile
- Mississippi college costs
- Mississippi colleges by ROI
- Mississippi State University vs University of Mississippi vs University of Southern Mississippi
- Southeast regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Mississippi
- Mississippi college costs
- Mississippi colleges by ROI
- Mississippi State University vs University of Mississippi vs University of Southern Mississippi
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Mississippi
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.