Mississippi State University
#2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $51,513 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,595 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 78% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.0 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi.
Every $1 spent returns $18.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,195,790.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 26% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 78%
- Patents
- 21
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 3
- Downstream influence
Why Mississippi State University Matters
Mississippi State University is a public research university in Mississippi State, MS and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 18,397
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Education, Psychology
Why students choose Mississippi 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
Competitive — admits about 78% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1100–1350. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,595 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $51,513 ten years after enrolling — 26% above the typical college, against $22,142 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 66% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.27 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 18,000 students, Mississippi State University is a solid choice for those seeking a friendly and supportive campus environment. This university attracts a diverse group of learners, particularly in popular fields like Business & Marketing, Engineering, Education, Psychology, and Biology & Biomedical sciences. With a 78% acceptance rate, it’s accessible for many students looking for a place to grow academically and socially.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $51,513 within a decade of completing their degree. This earning potential is significant, especially for a public university, and suggests that many graduates find rewarding careers in their chosen fields. The affordability factor also plays a role, with a net price of $17,595 after aid, making it a viable option for students looking to balance education costs with future income.
In terms of financial outcomes, the median debt stands at $22,142, which is manageable for the earnings that graduates experience. Students who thrive here often appreciate the blend of academic rigor and a community-focused atmosphere. Those who are proactive in seeking internships and engagement opportunities tend to see the best results, making the most of what Mississippi State has to offer.
Rankings
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi
- #2 Best Master's Programs in Mississippi
- #2 Best Business Colleges in Mississippi
- #3 Best Colleges in Mississippi
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi
- #4 Best Psychology Colleges in Mississippi
- #5 Best Education Colleges in Mississippi
- #5 Best Biology Colleges in Mississippi
Can I Get In?
How selective Mississippi 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 Mississippi State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Mississippi State, Mississippi, Mississippi State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,219. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1219
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1100–1350
- ACT Range
- 21–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 83%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,100
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 25%
- Applicants
- 18,830
- Admitted
- 14,158
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 Mississippi State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mississippi State University is $27,637, 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 $17,595. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,332 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,142 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,202
- Out-of-State
- $27,637
- Avg Net Price
- $17,595
- Median Debt
- $22,142
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 39%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,332
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,372
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $18,671
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,987
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Mississippi State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mississippi State University earn a median of $51,513, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,487
- 8 Years
- $46,795
- 10 Years
- $51,513
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,179)
- 40%
- 100% (1,179)
- 40%
- 100% (1,179)
- 40%
- 100% (1,179)
- 40%
How Mississippi Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Mississippi State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mississippi State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,595/year ($70,380 total). Graduates earn $51,513 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,266,170 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,195,790 (18.0× your investment). The median debt is $22,142, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $70,380
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,266,170
- Net Return
- $1,195,790
- ROI Multiple
- 18.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,595
- Median Debt
- $22,142
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Mississippi State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mississippi State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.18%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.18%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 18.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $93,400
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Mississippi State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 21 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.18%
- Top 78% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 21
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 3
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.31%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-8,948,478
Top Programs
The fields Mississippi State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 19%
- Engineering 18%
- Education 7%
- Psychology 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
- Social Sciences 3%
- Communications 3%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Mississippi 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 Mississippi State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Mississippi State, Mississippi, Mississippi State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,219. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mississippi State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mississippi State University is $27,637, 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 $17,595. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,332 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,142 in federal student loans.
Is Mississippi State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mississippi State University earn a median of $51,513, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Mississippi State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mississippi State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.18%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 18.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $93,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Mississippi State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mississippi State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.27, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Mississippi State University.
- Boise State UniversityBoise, ID · Close peer61% grad $51,658 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · Close peer61% grad $53,899 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH · Close peer66% grad $52,581 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI · Close peer68% grad $56,118 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK · Close peer67% grad $57,413 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Mississippi State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mississippi State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.27, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note