MC vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi State University is larger than MC based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 4,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi College is located in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi College 14:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

MC vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MC 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 MC ($18,478 vs. $28,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 20% lower than at Mississippi College ($12,902 vs. $16,120).
• Mississippi College is 130.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $13,298 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.6% higher at Mississippi State than at Mississippi College (about $4,137 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College than at Mississippi State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Mississippi College students ($13,852 vs. $12,676).

MC vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MC 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 MC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 30 points higher than at MC (1200).
• Incoming MC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Mississippi State (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 1140/1260; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 21/29; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MC - Required; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at MC (3.56).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 91% at MC vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

MC vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MC 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).

• Mississippi State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Mississippi College's (51%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than MC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than MC graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MC graduates ($240 vs. $258).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.