Jackson State University vs. Mississippi Valley State University

Deciding between Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Jackson State University
Mississippi Valley State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Jackson State University Jackson, MS
  • Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS
  • Setting
  • Jackson State University Midsize City
  • Mississippi Valley State University Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Jackson State University 6,326
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2,205
  • Type
  • Jackson State University Public 4 Year
  • Mississippi Valley State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Jackson State University #998
  • Mississippi Valley State University #1005
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Jackson State University -
  • Mississippi Valley State University -
  • Status
  • Jackson State University Non-profit
  • Mississippi Valley State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • Jackson State University jsums.edu
  • Mississippi Valley State University mvsu.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Jackson State University
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Jackson State University $8,965
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Jackson State University $11,965
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • Room & Board
  • Jackson State University $14,341
  • Mississippi Valley State University $8,956
  • Average Net Price
  • Jackson State University $23,450
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,232
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University $8,386
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,933
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Jackson State University 89%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Jackson State University Calculate
  • Mississippi Valley State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • Jackson State University 15,487
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,141
  • Admitted
  • Jackson State University 14,426
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,054
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Jackson State University 93.1%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 92.4%
  • Enrolled
  • Jackson State University 6.6%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 32.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Jackson State University 950
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • Typical ACT score
  • Jackson State University 17
  • Mississippi Valley State University 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • Jackson State University 3.1
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2.9
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Jackson State University B
  • Mississippi Valley State University B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Jackson State University Extremely Easy
  • Mississippi Valley State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Jackson State University
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • ACT Range
  • Jackson State University 15/20
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13/22
  • SAT Range
  • Jackson State University 820/1070
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Jackson State University Test optional
  • Mississippi Valley State University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Jackson State University 14:1
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Jackson State University
    • Business (20%)
    • Education (14%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Mississippi Valley State University
    • Education (29%)
    • Business (23%)
    • Human Services (19%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Jackson State University 40%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 24%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Jackson State University $32,800
  • Mississippi Valley State University $26,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Jackson State University 36%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 35%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Jackson State University $29,000
  • Mississippi Valley State University $29,336
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Jackson State University $299
  • Mississippi Valley State University $303
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Jackson State University 34%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 47%
  • % Women
  • Jackson State University 66%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Jackson State University Extremely Low
  • Mississippi Valley State University Extremely Low
  • HBCU
  • Jackson State University Yes
  • Mississippi Valley State University Yes
  • % White
  • Jackson State University 4%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 3%
  • % Asian
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • % Black
  • Jackson State University 92%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 92%
  • % Hispanic
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1%
  • % Native American
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Jackson State University 1%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • % International
  • Jackson State University 2%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Jackson State University 0%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 4%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Jackson State University 26%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 40%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Jackson State University 72%
  • Mississippi Valley State University 57%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Jackson State University in Jackson, MS with Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Jackson State University is larger than Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (6,326 students vs. 2,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Jackson State University is located in Jackson, MS (Midsize City setting); Mississippi Valley State University is in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting).
  • Jackson State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Jackson State University 14:1; Mississippi Valley State University 13:1.

Jackson State University vs. Mississippi Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jackson State University or Mississippi Valley State University? 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 Valley State University than Jackson State University ($10,232 vs. $23,450).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi Valley State University are 37.5% lower than at Jackson State University ($8,956 vs. $14,341).
  • Jackson State University is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi Valley State University (about $1,273 more per year; $8,965.00 vs. $7,692.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 55.6% higher at Jackson State University than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $4,273 more per year; $11,965.00 vs. $7,692.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at Jackson State University (100% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students is 30.4% larger than aid received by Jackson State University students ($10,933 vs. $8,386).

Jackson State University vs. Mississippi Valley State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jackson State University or Mississippi Valley State University? 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 Valley State University and Jackson State University.

  • Incoming Jackson State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at Mississippi Valley State University (17).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 820/1070.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Jackson State University 15/20; Mississippi Valley State University 13/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jackson State University - Test optional; Mississippi Valley State University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Jackson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Jackson State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).
  • Jackson State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.1%) than Mississippi Valley State University (92.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.6% at Jackson State University vs. 32.3% at Mississippi Valley State University.

Jackson State University vs. Mississippi Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University? 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).

  • Jackson State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Mississippi Valley State University's (24%).
  • Graduates from Jackson State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,800 vs. $26,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Jackson State University graduates have a $336 lower median loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($29,000 vs. $29,336).
  • Among borrowers, Jackson State University graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($299 vs. $303).
  • More Jackson State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 35%)

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.