Mississippi State vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi State University is larger than WCU based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 11,686 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Mississippi State vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than Mississippi State ($13,767 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 4.2% lower than at Mississippi State University ($12,354 vs. $12,902).
• Mississippi State University is 120.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $5,572 more per year; $10,202.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 220.2% higher at Mississippi State than at Western Carolina University (about $19,007 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Western Carolina University (96% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 131.1% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($13,852 vs. $5,993).

Mississippi State vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 50 points higher than at WCU (1180).
• Incoming Mississippi State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at WCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 1100/1350; Western Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; Western Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027; WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• 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 (81.8%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Mississippi State vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and WCU? 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 Western Carolina University's (50%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $1,240 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($22,010 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.