UL Lafayette vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi State University is larger than UL Lafayette based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 15,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

UL Lafayette vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette than Mississippi State ($13,017 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 6.2% lower than at Mississippi State University ($12,108 vs. $12,902).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 2.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $216 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Mississippi State than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $3,491 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 17.8% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students ($13,852 vs. $11,762).

UL Lafayette vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 50 points higher than at UL Lafayette (1180).
• Incoming UL Lafayette students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Mississippi State (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

UL Lafayette vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette 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).

• Mississippi State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UL Lafayette graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $45,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($201 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 55%)

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.