Mississippi State vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Mississippi State vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($18,478 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 3.4% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($12,902 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 35.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $3,610 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Tennessee than at Mississippi State University (about $5,619 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (96% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 21.1% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students ($13,852 vs. $11,434).

Mississippi State vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 60 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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 Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; Tennessee - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Mississippi State vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and Tennessee? 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 Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($206 vs. $240).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.