MC vs. Pacific

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi College is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (4,164 students vs. 3,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi College is located in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting); Pacific University is in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting).
• Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi College 14:1; Pacific University 10:1.

MC vs. Pacific Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MC or Pacific? 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 College than Pacific ($28,559 vs. $35,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 3.1% lower than at Mississippi College ($15,620 vs. $16,120).
• Pacific University is 139.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MC (about $32,874 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.9% higher at Pacific than at Mississippi College (about $32,874 more per year; $56,374.00 vs. $23,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College than at Pacific University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific University students is 193% larger than aid received by Mississippi College students ($37,139 vs. $12,676).

MC vs. Pacific Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MC or Pacific? 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 Pacific and MC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 130 points higher than at Pacific (1070).
• Incoming MC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Pacific).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 1140/1260; Pacific University 900/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 21/29; Pacific University 18/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MC - Required; Pacific - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pacific students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at MC (3.56).
• Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 91% at MC vs. 13.1% at Pacific.

MC vs. Pacific Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MC and Pacific? 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).

• Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Mississippi College's (51%).
• Graduates from Pacific University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than MC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi College graduates have a $1,156 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, MC graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($258 vs. $270).
• More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MC students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.