Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
ECU ASU Ole Miss Auburn UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State Texas Tech Alabama| Mississippi State University | Western Carolina University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
| Location | Mississippi State, MS | Cullowhee, NC | ||
| Setting | Rural Fringe | Distant Town | ||
| Enrollment | 22,649 | 11,635 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #523 | #763 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | msstate.edu | wcu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $9,248 | $1,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $25,294 | $5,000 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,964 | $11,173 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,364 | $13,022 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $14,252 | $4,526 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 99% |
Admission |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 18,830 | 17,917 | ||
| Admitted | 14,158 | 15,201 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 75.2% | 84.8% | ||
| Enrolled % | 23.8% | 12.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.58 | 3.44 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Challenging | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 21/29 | 19/26 | ||
| SAT Range | 1070/1280 | 1020/1240 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 | Mar 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 60% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,500 | $39,100 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 63% | 58% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $23,250 | $22,010 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $240 | $227 |
Diversity |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 49% | 41% | ||
| % Women | 51% | 59% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 72% | 79% | ||
| % Black | 20% | 6% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 6% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 1% |
Students |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 59% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 40% | 18% | ||
Campus |
Mississippi State | WCU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Mississippi State University is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (22,649 students vs. 11,635 students)
Mississippi State vs. WCU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or WCU?
- Mississippi State University is 824.8% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($9,248.00 vs. $1,000.00)
- Out of state tuition is 405.9% higher at Mississippi State than Western Carolina University ($25,294.00 vs. $5,000.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Mississippi State ($13,022 vs. $15,364)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 1.9% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,964 vs. $11,173)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Mississippi State University (99% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 214.9% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($14,252 vs. $4,526)
Mississippi State vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi State or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Mississippi State .
- The average SAT score at Mississippi State University (1140) is 108 points higher than at WCU (1032)
- Incoming Mississippi State students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at WCU (22)
- Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at WCU (3.44)
- WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Mississippi State (75.2%)
Mississippi State vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Mississippi State or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Mississippi State.
- The graduation rate at Mississippi State is higher than Western Carolina University (60% vs. 50%)
- Graduates from Mississippi State University earn on average $8,400 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $39,100)
- Western Carolina University students graduate with a $1,240 lower median federal student loan debt than Mississippi State graduates. ($22,010 vs. $23,250)
- WCU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Mississippi State graduates. ($227 vs. $240)
- More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/