Auburn vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Auburn vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Mississippi State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mississippi State University than Auburn ($18,478 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 22.4% lower than at Auburn University ($12,902 vs. $16,626).
• Auburn University is 26.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $2,688 more per year; $12,890.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Auburn than at Mississippi State University (about $7,285 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Auburn University (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 27.4% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($13,852 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Mississippi State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mississippi State and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 100 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Auburn vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Mississippi State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.