Mississippi State vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi State University is larger than Sewanee based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 1,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Mississippi State vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($18,478 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 19.5% lower than at The University of the South ($12,902 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 450.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $45,918 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.1% higher at Sewanee than at Mississippi State University (about $28,483 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Mississippi State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 168.3% larger than aid received by Mississippi State University students ($37,171 vs. $13,852).

Mississippi State vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi State or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee and Mississippi State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 100 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 1100/1350; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027; Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Mississippi State vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and Sewanee? 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 University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($196 vs. $240).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.