Louisville vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisville in Louisville, KY 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 Louisville based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Louisville 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 Louisville 14:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Louisville vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville ($18,478 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 2.5% lower than at Mississippi State University ($12,576 vs. $12,902).
• University of Louisville is 28.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $2,934 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Louisville than at Mississippi State University (about $1,845 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Mississippi State University (98% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 6% larger than aid received by Mississippi State University students ($14,677 vs. $13,852).

Louisville vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 70 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Mississippi State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Louisville vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $3,594 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($19,656 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($203 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 58%)

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.