Colorado State vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Colorado State vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State 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 Colorado State ($18,478 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 23.3% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($12,902 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 31.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $3,171 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.9% higher at Colorado State than at Mississippi State University (about $7,146 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (96% vs. 69%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 36.3% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($13,852 vs. $10,160).

Colorado State vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State 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 Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 40 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Colorado State vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State 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).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $2,246 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($21,004 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($217 vs. $240).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.