Skip to content

Mississippi College vs Mississippi State University

Mississippi College is a private college in Clinton, MS. Mississippi State University is a public university in Mississippi State, MS. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants and Mississippi State University about 78%, making Mississippi College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $17,595 a year at Mississippi State University after aid, and about $27,712 at Mississippi College. About 65% of students graduate at Mississippi State University, compared with 61% at Mississippi College. Ten years after enrolling, Mississippi State University alumni earn a median of about $51,513, against $47,485 for Mississippi College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Mississippi College

Clinton, MS · Private

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Clinton, MS
Mississippi State, MS
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,518
18,397
Acceptance rate
29%
78%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.41–4
3.45–3.95
SAT (middle 50%)
1140–1260
1100–1350
ACT (middle 50%)
19–25
21–29
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$27,712
$17,595
Full cost / yr
$41,214
$29,267
In-state tuition
$23,500
$10,202
Out-of-state tuition
$23,500
$27,637
Application fee
$40
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$25,984
$14,332
$30k - $48k
$25,743
$14,372
$48k - $75k
$27,601
$18,671
$75k - $110k
$29,083
$20,704
Over $110k
$29,757
$22,987
Outcomes
Graduation rate
61%
65%
Freshman retention
78%
83%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$42,011
$43,487
Median earnings (10 yr)
$47,485
$51,513
Median debt at graduation
$22,500
$22,142
Student body
Pell grant recipients
30%
29%
First-generation students
26%
25%
International students
3%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Mississippi College or Mississippi State University harder to get into?
Mississippi College is harder to get into. It admits about 29% of applicants, compared with 78% at Mississippi State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Mississippi College or Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,595 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $27,712 at Mississippi College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Mississippi College and Mississippi State University?
Before aid, Mississippi State University costs about $29,267 a year and Mississippi College about $41,214. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Mississippi College or Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $14,332 there, against about $25,984 at Mississippi College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Mississippi College or Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University is the larger of the two, with about 18,397 undergraduates against 2,518 at Mississippi College.
Does Mississippi College or Mississippi State University have a better graduation rate?
Mississippi State University has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 61% at Mississippi College.
Do graduates of Mississippi College or Mississippi State University earn more?
Mississippi State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $51,513 ten years after enrolling, against about $47,485 for Mississippi College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Mississippi College and Mississippi State University require SAT or ACT scores?
Mississippi College considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Mississippi State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Mississippi College and Mississippi State University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1140–1260 at Mississippi College and 1100–1350 at Mississippi State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school