Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Mississippi vs The University of Alabama
- Mississippi Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 7
- Alabama Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Mississippi offers a significantly safer investment tier. While The University of Alabama achieves a higher graduation rate (74% vs 70%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $22,420 compared to University of Mississippi's $13,314. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Mississippi's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Mississippi
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,314, roughly $9,106 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $20,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Alabama
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $59,221 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than University of Mississippi
- Higher grad rate: 74% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 77% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Mississippi graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (29% of degrees); Alabama in Business & Marketing (30%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick The University of Alabama over University of Mississippi. Median earnings of $59,221 ten years after enrollment vs $50,994.
Pick University of Mississippi over The University of Alabama. Net price $13,314 vs $22,420.
Pick University of Mississippi over The University of Alabama. 1.7% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick The University of Alabama over University of Mississippi. 74% completion rate vs 70%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Mississippi and The University of Alabama split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
The University of Alabama is the harder admit. It takes 77% of applicants, while University of Mississippi takes 97%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,184 to 1,285.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, The University of Alabama sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of Mississippi comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,314, about $9,106 a year below The University of Alabama's $22,420. Graduates of University of Mississippi also borrow less: median debt of $20,000, against $22,750.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $36,424 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Mississippi leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, The University of Alabama graduates report median earnings of $59,221, compared with $50,994 at University of Mississippi. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, The University of Alabama has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.38x to 0.39x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
The University of Alabama graduates a larger share of its students, 74% versus 70%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
University of Mississippi does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.7%; at The University of Alabama, it is 1.6%. University of Mississippi also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 6.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Mississippi offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Mississippi to keep costs and debt down; pick The University of Alabama for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Mississippi saves about $9,106 a year, yet The University of Alabama graduates earn $8,227 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
The University of Alabama is harder to get into, with a 77% admit rate, but University of Mississippi posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.7%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. University of Mississippi concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, while The University of Alabama leans toward Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Mississippi competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $22,420 runs well above University of Mississippi's $13,314.
- Students who want a smaller campus: The University of Alabama's enrollment of 33,227 far exceeds University of Mississippi's 21,473.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Mississippi holds onto its admits more tightly: 19% of admitted students enroll, versus 18% at Alabama — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of Mississippi
University, MS · Public
The University of Mississippi is an inviting choice for students seeking a large public university experience, with an acceptance rate of 97%. This means that most applicants find a home here, making it a great option for those looking to pursue popular fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Education, and Psychology. The campus culture offers a blend of academic rigor and community engagement, which can be particularly appealing for students wanting to build connections while they learn.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $50,994 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure suggests that there's potential for upward mobility, especially for graduates in high-demand fields. With a manageable net price of $13,314 after aid, the affordability of an education here makes it accessible for many. The mix of educational opportunities and career outcomes indicates that students are generally prepared to make their mark in the workforce.
When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt stands at $20,000, which is quite reasonable given the potential earnings post-graduation. Students who thrive here often take advantage of the supportive environment and diverse programs. With a significant portion of the student body receiving Pell Grants, it’s clear that this university is committed to supporting students from various economic backgrounds, setting the stage for a fruitful college experience.
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL · Public
Over 33,000 students call the University of Alabama home, making it one of the largest public universities in the nation. This campus buzzes with activity and opportunity, alongside a diverse range of programs. With a 77% acceptance rate, it opens its doors to a broad spectrum of applicants.
The 10-year earnings for graduates sit at an impressive $59,221, highlighting the potential for financial success post-graduation. While the university has an 18% Pell Grant rate, it indicates a commitment to supporting low-income students, though the mobility data is not available. This suggests a need for further exploration into how well the university helps students from disadvantaged backgrounds ascend economically.
Tuition and fees at the University of Alabama amount to a net price of $22,420, with a median debt of $22,750. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Business, Engineering, or Health Professions. Those who engage actively in campus life and utilize available resources tend to fare best.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Mississippi is featured on the Best Colleges in Mississippi ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 29% of Mississippi's student body and 30% of Alabama's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Mississippi) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Alabama).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Mississippi is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, while The University of Alabama concentrates in Social Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Mississippi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Mississippi or The University of Alabama?
The University of Alabama is harder to get into, admitting 77% of applicants compared with 97% at University of Mississippi.
Which is more affordable, University of Mississippi or The University of Alabama?
University of Mississippi is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,314 after aid versus $22,420 at The University of Alabama.
Do University of Mississippi or The University of Alabama graduates earn more?
The University of Alabama graduates earn more: median earnings of $59,221 ten years after enrollment, versus $50,994 at University of Mississippi.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Mississippi or The University of Alabama?
The University of Alabama has the higher graduation rate, 74% versus 70%.
University of Mississippi vs The University of Alabama: which is better for social mobility?
University of Mississippi is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.7% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose University of Mississippi or The University of Alabama?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Mississippi if affordability and lower debt come first; choose The University of Alabama if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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