Mississippi State University
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Mississippi State, Mississippi
Net price / year
$17,595
after grants & scholarships
higher than 79% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
78%
Graduation rate
65%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 82% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$59,311
4 years after graduating
higher than 52% of public 4-year colleges
Mississippi State University at a glance
- What is the tuition at Mississippi State University?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $10,202 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $27,637 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at Mississippi State University?
- The average cost of attendance is $29,267 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at Mississippi State University?
- The average net price for in-state students is $17,595 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at Mississippi State University?
- About 78% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at Mississippi State University?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1100–1350 and an ACT composite of 21–29 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at Mississippi State University?
- 65% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of Mississippi State University earn?
- The median graduate earns $59,311 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.5 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- 65% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 82% of public 4-year colleges.
- At $17,595 a year, the average net price is higher than 79% of public 4-year colleges.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $14,332 a year on average, versus $22,987 for families earning over $110,000.
- Pell Grant recipients completed within 150% of normal time at a rate of 50%, compared with 65% for all students, a gap of 15 points.
Tuition and cost of attendance at Mississippi State University
Average net price (in-state)
$17,595 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the Mississippi State University net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$70,380
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $14,332
- $30–48k $14,372
- $48–75k $18,671
- $75–110k $20,704
- $110k+ $22,987
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $29,267
- Tuition & fees$10,202
- Books & supplies$1,200
- Room & board$12,902
- Other expenses$6,409
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $10,202
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $27,637
Mississippi State University acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from Mississippi State University
Graduation rate
65%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
83%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$235
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
2.5 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.4×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 4.7%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 67%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $33,648 · median $51,513 · 75th percentile $77,474
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 7,288 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 6%
- Making progress 9%
- Not making progress 12%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 55%
- Deferment 15%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
7,288 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at Mississippi State University ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 64 | $106,039 | 1 yr$80,8964 yrs$106,0395 yrs$98,845 | U.S. median $100,647 U.S. middle half $84.6K–$122.4K · Above the U.S. median | $25,037 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 88 | $95,968 | 1 yr$78,1834 yrs$95,9685 yrs$104,589 | U.S. median $98,158 U.S. middle half $80.3K–$118K · Below the U.S. median | $22,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample | $94,068 | 1 yr$72,7124 yrs$94,068 | U.S. median $95,124 U.S. middle half $77.1K–$115.2K · Below the U.S. median | $30,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 181 | $93,893 | 1 yr$75,1614 yrs$93,8935 yrs$96,021 | U.S. median $92,135 U.S. middle half $77.7K–$109.1K · Above the U.S. median | $21,636 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 37 | $92,332 | 1 yr$70,7034 yrs$92,3325 yrs$89,777 | U.S. median $98,442 U.S. middle half $81.2K–$121.7K · Below the U.S. median | $27,000 |
| Engineering, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $91,124 | 1 yr$68,0454 yrs$91,124 | U.S. median $93,989 U.S. middle half $77.4K–$115.3K · Below the U.S. median | $18,947 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 49 | $88,444 | 1 yr$69,0564 yrs$88,4445 yrs$94,025 | U.S. median $98,207 U.S. middle half $81.6K–$115.9K · Below the U.S. median | $17,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $85,275 | 1 yr$72,5294 yrs$85,275 | U.S. median $109,015 U.S. middle half $86.3K–$145.2K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 48 | $82,852 | 1 yr$58,7554 yrs$82,8525 yrs$83,231 | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Below the U.S. median | $24,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 100 | $81,203 | 1 yr$65,8054 yrs$81,2035 yrs$84,639 | U.S. median $86,517 U.S. middle half $73.9K–$101.2K · Below the U.S. median | $20,938 |
Show all 48 programs
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians Bachelor's · Graduates: 85 | $79,068 | 1 yr$57,9234 yrs$79,0685 yrs$72,000 | U.S. median $80,890 U.S. middle half $61.2K–$99.3K · Below the U.S. median | $21,875 |
| Agricultural Business and Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 34 | $78,998 | 1 yr$45,8214 yrs$78,9985 yrs$61,250 | U.S. median $66,647 U.S. middle half $48.6K–$90.4K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 40 | $74,780 | 1 yr$45,9714 yrs$74,7805 yrs$69,612 | U.S. median $83,290 U.S. middle half $58.8K–$111.6K · Below the U.S. median | $27,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $74,542 | 1 yr$45,4834 yrs$74,5425 yrs$75,267 | U.S. median $93,451 U.S. middle half $74.1K–$113.9K · Below the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 109 | $70,904 | 1 yr$41,7174 yrs$70,9045 yrs$71,913 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Below the U.S. median | $18,832 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 80 | $70,367 | 1 yr$50,2174 yrs$70,3675 yrs$69,553 | U.S. median $83,343 U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Below the U.S. median | $22,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $69,787 | 1 yr$48,0844 yrs$69,787 | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Above the U.S. median | $22,050 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $69,699 | 1 yr$53,6794 yrs$69,6995 yrs$70,060 | U.S. median $66,914 U.S. middle half $54.2K–$78.6K · Above the U.S. median | $31,000 |
| Agricultural Production Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $69,160 | 4 yrs$69,1605 yrs$58,091 | U.S. median $53,588 U.S. middle half $38K–$74.4K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 76 | $62,082 | 1 yr$42,2984 yrs$62,0825 yrs$54,013 | U.S. median $60,190 U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Interior Architecture Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $61,421 | 1 yr$44,8114 yrs$61,421 | U.S. median $60,369 U.S. middle half $47.9K–$72.3K · Above the U.S. median | $22,254 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 128 | $61,364 | 1 yr$42,6704 yrs$61,3645 yrs$64,519 | U.S. median $69,303 U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Below the U.S. median | $19,552 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 39 | $58,499 | 1 yr$40,2194 yrs$58,4995 yrs$65,848 | U.S. median $58,784 U.S. middle half $44.9K–$73.1K · Below the U.S. median | $19,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 234 | $55,993 | 1 yr$37,9754 yrs$55,9935 yrs$54,081 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 42 | $54,325 | 1 yr$29,4424 yrs$54,3255 yrs$60,348 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Below the U.S. median | $25,469 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 62 | $52,755 | 1 yr$41,4644 yrs$52,7555 yrs$71,455 | U.S. median $49,634 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.9K · Above the U.S. median | $19,719 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 60 | $51,221 | 1 yr$20,0564 yrs$51,2215 yrs$65,609 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Below the U.S. median | $22,296 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $50,653 | 1 yr$45,9944 yrs$50,6535 yrs$47,207 | U.S. median $56,567 U.S. middle half $41.8K–$73.9K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 239 | $50,503 | 1 yr$29,6544 yrs$50,5035 yrs$51,438 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Below the U.S. median | $23,250 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $50,176 | 1 yr$27,8414 yrs$50,1765 yrs$36,197 | U.S. median $50,523 U.S. middle half $35.2K–$66.9K · Below the U.S. median | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Bachelor's · Graduates: 55 | $49,541 | 1 yr$41,6584 yrs$49,5415 yrs$49,074 | U.S. median $51,389 U.S. middle half $40.5K–$63.1K · Below the U.S. median | $15,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 75 | $48,805 | 1 yr$33,1914 yrs$48,8055 yrs$45,871 | U.S. median $55,556 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.1K · Below the U.S. median | $22,055 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 163 | $48,493 | 1 yr$31,8124 yrs$48,4935 yrs$50,575 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Below the U.S. median | $23,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $46,129 | 1 yr$31,3524 yrs$46,129 | U.S. median $57,640 U.S. middle half $40.6K–$75.9K · Below the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $45,445 | 1 yr$30,2474 yrs$45,4455 yrs$50,619 | U.S. median $45,338 U.S. middle half $34.2K–$59.3K · Above the U.S. median | $21,625 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample | $44,979 | 1 yr$30,5654 yrs$44,9795 yrs$56,867 | U.S. median $65,466 U.S. middle half $44.9K–$88.4K · Below the U.S. median | $23,248 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 298 | $42,399 | 1 yr$36,1134 yrs$42,3995 yrs$45,314 | U.S. median $55,693 U.S. middle half $40.3K–$72.2K · Below the U.S. median | $22,512 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 140 | $41,986 | 1 yr$27,4164 yrs$41,9865 yrs$47,631 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Below the U.S. median | $23,250 |
| Special Education and Teaching Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample | $41,627 | 1 yr$40,1854 yrs$41,6275 yrs$40,198 | U.S. median $50,499 U.S. middle half $41.4K–$60.1K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 30 | $41,446 | 1 yr$36,3184 yrs$41,446 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median | $21,592 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 35 | $41,439 | 1 yr$21,2434 yrs$41,439 | U.S. median $48,568 U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Below the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 182 | $40,431 | 1 yr$37,9454 yrs$40,4315 yrs$40,048 | U.S. median $47,382 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Below the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample | $39,940 | 4 yrs$39,9405 yrs$46,183 | U.S. median $70,873 U.S. middle half $54.1K–$88.2K · Below the U.S. median | $23,767 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 50 | $38,939 | 1 yr$24,7524 yrs$38,9395 yrs$46,246 | U.S. median $41,688 U.S. middle half $25.8K–$59.9K · Below the U.S. median | $27,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 66 | $37,656 | 1 yr$29,2424 yrs$37,6565 yrs$39,512 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Below the U.S. median | $23,750 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $36,617 | 1 yr$33,6264 yrs$36,6175 yrs$37,212 | U.S. median $44,115 U.S. middle half $34.9K–$57.6K · Below the U.S. median | $27,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $36,614 | 1 yr$28,2954 yrs$36,6145 yrs$36,014 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $35,877 | 1 yr$25,6514 yrs$35,8775 yrs$42,693 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Below the U.S. median | $18,750 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 72.5%
- Black or African American 15.9%
- Hispanic or Latino 4.6%
- Asian 1.7%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.5%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0%
- Two or more races 2.8%
- U.S. nonresident 1.3%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 0.7%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 49.2%
- Women 50.8%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
8%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 18,397
- Part-time students
- 8%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 29%
- Receive federal loans
- 39%
- Students per faculty member
- 16 : 1
- Setting
- Town
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at Mississippi State University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Mississippi State University reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $10,202 for in-state students and $27,637 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at Mississippi State University?
The average cost of attendance at Mississippi State University is $29,267 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $17,595 a year. That is higher than 79% of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at Mississippi State University get?
29% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 39% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $14,332 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $22,987 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University admitted about 78% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for Mississippi State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1100–1350 and an ACT composite of 21–29 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at Mississippi State University?
65% of first-time, full-time students at Mississippi State University finish within 150% of normal time. 83% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do Mississippi State University graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $59,311 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $41,867.
Is Mississippi State University worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For Mississippi State University, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.5 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $22,142, about 0.4 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 65% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things