Alabama vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Alabama is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Alabama vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama or Mississippi State? 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 Alabama ($18,478 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 14.1% lower than at The University of Alabama ($12,902 vs. $15,016).
• The University of Alabama is 19.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $1,978 more per year; $12,180.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.6% higher at Alabama than at Mississippi State University (about $6,535 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at The University of Alabama (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 26.4% larger than aid received by Mississippi State University students ($17,503 vs. $13,852).

Alabama vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 60 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Alabama (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Alabama vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Alabama graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,750).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama graduates ($240 vs. $245).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 59%)

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.