Florida State vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

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

Florida State University is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (43,889 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Florida State vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Florida 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 Florida State University than Mississippi State ($15,815 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 4.2% lower than at Florida State University ($12,902 vs. $13,474).
• Mississippi State University is 80.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida State (about $4,546 more per year; $10,202.00 vs. $5,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.1% higher at Mississippi State than at Florida State University (about $8,851 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $18,786.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Florida State University (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 49.3% larger than aid received by Florida State University students ($13,852 vs. $9,279).

Florida State vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida State University (1340) is 110 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Florida State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 1270/1410; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida State University 29/32; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Florida State - Required; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Florida State Mar 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Florida State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Florida State (24.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Florida State vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Florida State vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Florida 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).

• Florida State University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Florida State University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Florida State University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($20,750 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Florida State graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($214 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida State students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.