Mississippi State vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; University of Houston 22:1.

Mississippi State vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or UH? 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 University of Houston than Mississippi State ($14,309 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 12.5% lower than at Mississippi State University ($11,286 vs. $12,902).
• Mississippi State University is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $485 more per year; $10,202.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.6% higher at Mississippi State than at University of Houston (about $5,090 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of Houston (96% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 13.9% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($13,852 vs. $12,159).

Mississippi State vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 20 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming UH students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 1100/1350; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027; UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at UH (3.46).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 26.5% at UH.

Mississippi State vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($204 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

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.