Columbus State vs. Mississippi Valley State University

Should I go to Columbus State University or Mississippi Valley State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State or Mississippi Valley State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Columbus State University vs. Mississippi Valley State University comparison
Columbus State University Mississippi Valley State University College 3 College 4
Columbus State University Mississippi Valley State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
Location Columbus, GA Itta Bena, MS
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 7,479 1,879
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #995 #994
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu mvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $7,394
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $7,394
Room & Board $12,080 $8,112
Avg Net Price $12,902 $11,598
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $9,961
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 91%

Admission

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 2,436
Admitted 3,398 1,578
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 64.8%
Enrolled % 30.4% 14.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/23 13/22
SAT Range 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Education (29%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Human Services (19%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
Graduation Rate 31% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $26,600
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 35%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $29,336
Median Loan Payment $268 $303

Diversity

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
% Men 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
Racial Diversity High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 51% 3%
% Black 37% 92%
% Hispanic 6% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 4%

Students

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
% In-State 92% 54%
% Out-of-State 5% 45%

Campus

Columbus State Mississippi Valley State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 1,879 students)

Columbus State vs. Mississippi Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Mississippi Valley State University?

  • Mississippi Valley State University is 69.2% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($7,394.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 108.6% higher at Columbus State than Mississippi Valley State University ($15,425.00 vs. $7,394.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mississippi Valley State University than Columbus State ($11,598 vs. $12,902)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi Valley State University are 48.9% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($8,112 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University than Mississippi Valley State University (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students is 8.9% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($9,961 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. Mississippi Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Mississippi Valley State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mississippi Valley State University or Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Columbus State University (961) is 111 points higher than at Mississippi Valley State University (850)
  • Incoming Columbus State students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman Columbus State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.07) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Mississippi Valley State University (64.8%)

Columbus State vs. Mississippi Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State or Mississippi Valley State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mississippi Valley State University and Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Columbus State is higher than Mississippi Valley State University (31% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Columbus State University earn on average $10,800 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $26,600)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $3,336 lower median federal student loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $29,336)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $35 less per month on federal student loans than Mississippi Valley State University graduates. ($268 vs. $303)
  • More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/