University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Mississippi State

Should I go to University of Alabama at Birmingham or Mississippi State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Alabama at Birmingham or Mississippi State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Mississippi State University comparison
University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State University College 3 College 4
University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State University
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Overview

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
Location Birmingham, AL Mississippi State, MS
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 21,639 22,649
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #427 #523
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uab.edu msstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
Tuition (In State) $8,832 $9,248
Tuition (Out of State) $21,216 $25,294
Room & Board $13,120 $10,964
Avg Net Price $16,834 $15,364
Avg Grant Aid $11,142 $14,252
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,947 18,830
Admitted 8,622 14,158
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 75.2%
Enrolled % 25.7% 23.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.58
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/30 21/29
SAT Range 1200/1410 1070/1280
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 Jun 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Engineering (12%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
Graduation Rate 45% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $47,500
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $222 $240

Diversity

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
% Men 37% 49%
% Women 63% 51%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 59% 72%
% Black 25% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
% In-State 82% 59%
% Out-of-State 16% 40%

Campus

University of Alabama at Birmingham Mississippi State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Mississippi State University is larger than than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (22,649 students vs. 21,639 students)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Mississippi State?

  • Mississippi State University is 4.7% more expensive to attend than University of Alabama at Birmingham for in-state tuition ($9,248.00 vs. $8,832.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19.2% higher at Mississippi State than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($25,294.00 vs. $21,216.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mississippi State University than University of Alabama at Birmingham ($15,364 vs. $16,834)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 19.7% lower than costs at University of Alabama at Birmingham ($10,964 vs. $13,120)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Mississippi State University than University of Alabama at Birmingham (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 27.9% larger than aid received University of Alabama at Birmingham ($14,252 vs. $11,142)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Mississippi State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Mississippi State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mississippi State or University of Alabama at Birmingham .

  • The average SAT score at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1147) is 7 points higher than at Mississippi State (1140)
  • Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Mississippi State (25)
  • Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Mississippi State (3.58)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Mississippi State (75.2%)

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

  • The graduation rate at Mississippi State is higher than University of Alabama at Birmingham (60% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Mississippi State University earn on average $1,100 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates after ten years. ($47,500 vs. $46,400)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Mississippi State graduates. ($21,500 vs. $23,250)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Mississippi State graduates. ($222 vs. $240)
  • More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/