Alcorn State University
- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,421 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $13,265 B-
- 23% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 45% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 19.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.7 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $19.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $994,527.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $19.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Alcorn State University
Alcorn State University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,363
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Alcorn State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 45% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 670–998. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,265 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,421 ten years after enrolling — 11% below the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.70 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 2,363 students, Alcorn State University is a solid choice for anyone looking to dive into fields like Biology, Health Professions, or Psychology. It's a place that fits both traditional students and those returning to education later in life. The acceptance rate sits at 45%, which suggests that while it's competitive, many students find a welcoming environment here. Graduates often leave equipped with practical skills and knowledge tailored to today's job market.
The financial outlook for graduates is encouraging. On average, alumni earn about $36,421 within ten years of finishing their degrees. This can be particularly appealing for students who are mindful of their investment in education. Considering 70% of students receive Pell Grants, the affordability factor is significant. This support can help many students transition into the workforce without overwhelming financial burdens, making upward mobility a real possibility for those who work hard.
When it comes to costs, the net price after aid is approximately $13,265, which is manageable for many families. However, the median debt stands at $27,000, so it's important to weigh this against potential earnings. Students who thrive here are often those who take advantage of the supportive community and resources available, ready to engage in their studies and beyond. Alcorn State can be a great stepping stone for those dedicated to their educational journey.
Rankings
- #11 Best Computer Science Colleges in Mississippi
- #11 Best Data Science Colleges in Mississippi
- #12 Best Biology Colleges in Mississippi
- #13 Best Psychology Colleges in Mississippi
- #15 Best Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi
- #15 Best Master's Programs in Mississippi
- #19 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi
- #24 Best Business Colleges in Mississippi
Can I Get In?
How selective Alcorn State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Alcorn State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Alcorn State, Mississippi, Alcorn State University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 904. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 904
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 670–998
- ACT Range
- 15–19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 61%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,235
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.07
- First-Gen Students
- 35%
- Applicants
- 6,748
- Admitted
- 2,020
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Alcorn State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Alcorn State University is $8,785, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,265. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,613 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,785
- Out-of-State
- $8,785
- Avg Net Price
- $13,265
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 70%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 67%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,613
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,344
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,296
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,620
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Alcorn State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Alcorn State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Alcorn State University report median earnings of $36,421, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,752
- 8 Years
- $32,667
- 10 Years
- $36,421
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.74x
- Earning > $25K
- 44%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (123)
- 25%
- 100% (123)
- 25%
- 100% (123)
- 25%
- 100% (123)
- 25%
How Alcorn Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Alcorn State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Alcorn State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,265/year ($53,060 total). Graduates earn $36,421 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,047,587 in total earnings — a net gain of $994,527 (19.7× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $53,060
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,047,587
- Net Return
- $994,527
- ROI Multiple
- 19.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,265
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-675,514
Top Programs
The fields Alcorn State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 20%
- Biology & Biomedical 17% $23,930 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $66,725 early-career
- Business & Marketing 7% $26,267 early-career
- Psychology 5% $28,109 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Criminal Justice 3% $31,645 early-career
- Communications 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Alcorn State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Alcorn State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Alcorn State, Mississippi, Alcorn State University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 45%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 904. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Alcorn State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Alcorn State University is $8,785, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,265. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,613 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Alcorn State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Alcorn State University report median earnings of $36,421, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Alcorn State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Alcorn State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Alcorn State University.
- University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff, AR · Close peer40% grad $35,550 earn 41% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Puerto Rico at PoncePonce, PR · Close peer48% grad $31,394 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Fort Valley State UniversityFort Valley, GA · Close peer43% grad $36,666 earn 66% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- William Carey UniversityHattiesburg, MS · Close peer51% grad $43,087 earn 60% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- University of Puerto Rico-CarolinaCarolina, PR · Close peer39% grad $30,626 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- University of Puerto Rico-HumacaoHumacao, PR · Close peer50% grad $29,521 earn 55% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Alcorn State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Alcorn State University. Its economic connectedness score is 0.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note