LSU vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Louisiana 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: Louisiana State University 21:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

LSU vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU 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 LSU ($18,478 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 14.8% lower than at Louisiana State University ($12,902 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 17.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $1,752 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.6% higher at LSU than at Mississippi State University (about $994 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Louisiana State University (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Mississippi State University students ($14,094 vs. $13,852).

LSU vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU 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 LSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming LSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

LSU vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU 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).

• The graduation rate at LSU is the same as at Mississippi State University (60% vs. 60%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $2,350 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($20,900 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($216 vs. $240).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.