Mississippi State vs. UofSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Columbia is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (38,532 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 South Carolina Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; University of South Carolina Columbia 19:1.

Mississippi State vs. UofSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or UofSC? 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 UofSC ($18,478 vs. $24,488).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 4.7% lower than at University of South Carolina Columbia ($12,902 vs. $13,534).
• University of South Carolina Columbia is 24.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $2,486 more per year; $12,688.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.2% higher at UofSC than at Mississippi State University (about $8,335 more per year; $35,972.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of South Carolina Columbia (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 94% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Columbia students ($13,852 vs. $7,139).

Mississippi State vs. UofSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Carolina Columbia (1270) is 40 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming UofSC 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; University of South Carolina Columbia 1180/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; University of South Carolina Columbia 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; UofSC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027; UofSC Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UofSC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than UofSC (60.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 22.9% at UofSC.

Mississippi State vs. UofSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and UofSC? 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).

• University of South Carolina Columbia's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Columbia and Mississippi State graduates have the same median loan debt ($23,250 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, University of South Carolina Columbia and Mississippi State graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($240 vs. $240).
• More UofSC 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.