Mississippi State vs. Memphis

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi State University is larger than Memphis based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 20,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mississippi State vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or Memphis? 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 Memphis than Mississippi State ($12,756 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 12.1% lower than at Mississippi State University ($11,342 vs. $12,902).
• University of Memphis is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $526 more per year; $10,728.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at Mississippi State than at University of Memphis (about $12,253 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $15,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of Memphis (96% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 17.5% larger than aid received by University of Memphis students ($13,852 vs. $11,793).

Mississippi State vs. Memphis Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 180 points higher than at Memphis (1050).
• Incoming Mississippi State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Memphis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 1100/1350; University of Memphis 915/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; University of Memphis 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; Memphis - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027; Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Memphis (3.48).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Memphis (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

Mississippi State vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and Memphis? 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 Memphis's (38%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Memphis graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Memphis graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Memphis graduates ($240 vs. $261).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 37%)

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.