UCF vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Florida is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (69,713 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Central Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Florida 28:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

UCF vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCF 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 University of Central Florida than Mississippi State ($13,351 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Florida are 3.5% lower than at Mississippi State University ($12,452 vs. $12,902).
• Mississippi State University is 60.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCF (about $3,834 more per year; $10,202.00 vs. $6,368.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23% higher at Mississippi State than at University of Central Florida (about $5,170 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $22,467.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of Central Florida (96% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 42.7% larger than aid received by University of Central Florida students ($13,852 vs. $9,704).

UCF vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCF 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 UCF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Florida (1280) is 50 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming UCF 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: University of Central Florida 1200/1350; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Florida 25/29; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCF - Required; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCF May 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCF students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than UCF (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UCF vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

UCF vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCF 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).

• University of Central Florida's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Central Florida earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Florida graduates have a $4,980 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($18,270 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UCF graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($188 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCF 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.