Mississippi Valley State University vs. Lamar University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS with Lamar University in Beaumont, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lamar University is larger than Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (17,772 students vs. 2,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi Valley State University is located in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting); Lamar University is in Beaumont, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Mississippi Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lamar University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi Valley State University 13:1; Lamar University 20:1.

Mississippi Valley State University vs. Lamar University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi Valley State University or Lamar University? 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 Lamar University than Mississippi Valley State University ($9,814 vs. $10,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi Valley State University are 14.4% lower than at Lamar University ($8,956 vs. $10,464).
• Lamar University is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi Valley State University (about $1,213 more per year; $8,905.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.7% higher at Lamar University than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $11,053 more per year; $18,745.00 vs. $7,692.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at Lamar University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lamar University students is 12.2% larger than aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students ($12,263 vs. $10,933).

Mississippi Valley State University vs. Lamar University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi Valley State University or Lamar University? 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 Lamar University and Mississippi Valley State University.

• Incoming Lamar University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Mississippi Valley State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLamar University 930/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi Valley State University 13/22; Lamar University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi Valley State University - Test optional; Lamar University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Lamar University students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).
• Mississippi Valley State University has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Lamar University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.3% at Mississippi Valley State University vs. 21.9% at Lamar University.

Mississippi Valley State University vs. Lamar University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi Valley State University and Lamar University? 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).

• Lamar University's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Mississippi Valley State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Lamar University earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $26,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lamar University graduates have a $7,336 lower median loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($22,000 vs. $29,336).
• Among borrowers, Lamar University graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($227 vs. $303).
• More Lamar University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 35%)

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.