Mississippi State vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi State University is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

Mississippi State vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University than Mississippi State ($17,965 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 30.2% lower than at Mississippi State University ($9,000 vs. $12,902).
• South Carolina State University is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $858 more per year; $11,060.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Mississippi State than at South Carolina State University (about $5,887 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $21,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at South Carolina State University (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 19.6% larger than aid received by South Carolina State University students ($13,852 vs. $11,579).

Mississippi State vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi State or South Carolina 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 South Carolina State University and Mississippi State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 300 points higher than at South Carolina State University (930).
• Incoming Mississippi State students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at South Carolina State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 1100/1350; South Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027; South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17).
• South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (82.6%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

Mississippi State vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and South Carolina 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).

• Mississippi State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $9,955 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($23,250 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($240 vs. $343).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 27%)

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.