Admit rate has ranged 54%–80% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Mississippi State University is a large, land-grant public research university where SEC football fervor and the relentless clang of cowbells define the campus rhythm. It’s a place of practical, career-focused education, offering over 175 degree programs with particular strength in agriculture, engineering, and business. While its admissions are accessible, its culture is intensely loyal, binding students through deep-rooted traditions and a powerful sense of community on its historic, sprawling campus.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
18,397
In-state tuition
$10,202
Out-of-state tuition
$27,637
No-Loan Policy
No
Graduation Rate
67%
Meets Full Need
No
First-Year Retention
Not stated in sources
Demonstrated Interest
Not Considered (per Common Data Set C7)
Early Decision/Action
Not offered
Median Earnings (10yr)
$51,513
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,513
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.9×
Median debt at graduation
$22,142
Graduation rate
67%
First-year retention
83%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
63%
Pell (lower-income) share
29%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
25%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$74,405
Chemical Engineering$74,307
Mechanical Engineering$73,852
Industrial Engineering$69,710
Computer Engineering$67,660
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$63,005
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
7
Per 1,000 students
0.30
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
92
Summer high
90°F
Winter low
40°F
Annual rain
55.4"
Annual snow
1.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
447
Scholarly works
52,768
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.8%
Bottom → top quintile
20%
From bottom quintile
9%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University's acceptance rate is approximately 78% (Mississippi State, MS), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Mississippi State University?
Admitted students at Mississippi State University typically score 1100–1350 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Mississippi State University cost?
At Mississippi State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,595 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Mississippi State University?
Mississippi State University enrolls approximately 18,397 undergraduate students.
Where is Mississippi State University located?
Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS.
Admissions
Mississippi State operates with a rolling admissions process that is notably accessible, admitting a broad majority of its applicants. The university sets clear, minimum academic benchmarks: a 2.50 high school GPA or, if that minimum is not met, an ACT score of 20 or above (or the SAT equivalent). There is no Early Decision or Early Action program, simplifying the application timeline for all prospective students.
Admitted students typically present strong academic profiles. Among recent enrollees, over half (51.2%) reported a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher, with another 17.8% in the 3.50–3.74 range. Standardized test scores are common, with the middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores falling between 1100 and 1350 on the SAT or 21 and 29 on the ACT. Notably, during a recent admissions cycle, 94% of admitted students submitted ACT scores. The university's rate—the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll—is reported at 19.84%.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Construction Management$62,012
Civil Engineering$56,776
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
MSU is a comprehensive doctoral university with a land-grant mission, offering more than 175 programs leading to baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The curriculum is designed to be practical and career-oriented, preparing students for 'bright, productive futures.'
Popular Majors: The most popular fields of study reflect this practical bent. For a recent graduating class, the top majors were Business Administration and Management (9%), Psychology (6%), and Exercise Science and Kinesiology (6%).
Accelerated Pathways: The university encourages ambitious undergraduates through approved programs that allow highly qualified students to earn up to 9 hours of graduate-level coursework.
Faculty Reputation: Student reviews often describe faculty as knowledgeable, passionate, and approachable, with many professors taking a genuine interest in student success.
Life at Mississippi State is dominated by its identity as an SEC school, where campus traditions forge a powerful and palpable sense of community. The campus itself is frequently described as beautiful, with historic buildings and vibrant green spaces.
Traditions: The culture is steeped in unique rituals. The constant, sanctioned use of cowbells at athletic events is iconic, as is the massive tailgating scene at The Junction before football games. Campus-wide events like Bulldog Bash and Dawg Days further solidify the communal bond.
Greek Life: With 38 fraternities and sororities, Greek life is a significant force. The university notes that members consistently earn higher GPAs, graduate at higher rates, and secure jobs or graduate school placements more frequently.
Activities & Quirks: The Center for Student Activities serves as a hub for over 300 student organizations, hosting events from game nights to free food giveaways. Student comments also highlight very real, less-glamorous aspects of campus life, such as notoriously difficult parking, especially during baseball season.
Mississippi State graduates enter the workforce with strong success rates. According to the most recent university survey, 95% of graduates achieve 'successful career outcomes' within six months of graduation, a figure that represents a 2% increase from the previous year. This metric includes employment, graduate school enrollment, or military service.
The university's graduation rate consistently positions it above national and state averages. Reported rates hover around 63-64%, which places MSU above the midpoint for four-year colleges (59%) and in the top 40% of comparable institutions. For context, Mississippi's overall six-year college graduation rate is 57.1%.
As a public institution, Mississippi State offers a relatively affordable . The average net price after aid and scholarships is reported by multiple sources, though figures vary slightly. The College Scorecard reports an average annual cost of $17,595, while other sources cite an average net price of $15,364 per year or $24,139 for total cost after aid.
Financial aid is widely available, with 61.96% of students receiving some form of it. Aid is primarily need-based, calculated using FAFSA data, though non-need-based loans like Unsubsidized and PLUS Loans are also available. The state of Mississippi also offers the HELP (Higher Ed Legislative Plan) program, which provides tuition assistance to qualified students with demonstrated financial need.
The university awards a range of automatic academic scholarships to incoming freshmen. For example, the Resident Scholarship provides $4,000 over four years ($1,000 per year) based on specific academic criteria. Mississippi State does not advertise a 'no-loan' policy where 100% of need is met with grants; its aid packages typically include a mix of grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
Mississippi State distinguishes itself through an almost tribal combination of accessible academics and intense school spirit. It’s not an elitist institution—its admissions are rolling and its benchmarks clear—but it cultivates a level of loyalty and tradition that rivals any flagship. The education is unapologetically practical, funneling students into high-demand fields like business, kinesiology, and psychology, and it works: 95% of graduates land on their feet swiftly. Yet, what truly defines the MSU experience is the culture. The relentless clang of cowbells isn’t just allowed; it’s a point of pride. The tailgates at The Junction are massive communal events. The Greek system isn't just social; it's linked to better academic outcomes. This creates a specific kind of student: one who wants a solid, career-focused degree without pretension, but who also craves being part of a loud, proud, and deeply connected community. It’s the quintessential large Southern state university experience, delivered with a distinct Bulldog bark.
Mississippi State University seal · sourceMississippi State University · sourceMississippi State University | Mississippi Encyclopedia · sourceMississippi State University | Research, Education, Athletics | Britannica · source
