Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mississippi is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (26,449 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Mississippi is located in University, MS (Remote Town setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Mississippi 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 Mississippi 18:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ole Miss 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 Mississippi than Mississippi State ($15,045 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mississippi are 2.3% lower than at Mississippi State University ($12,600 vs. $12,902).
• Mississippi State University is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ole Miss (about $430 more per year; $10,202.00 vs. $9,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Ole Miss than at Mississippi State University (about $963 more per year; $28,600.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of Mississippi (96% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 11.2% larger than aid received by University of Mississippi students ($13,852 vs. $12,455).

Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ole Miss 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 Ole Miss.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 130 points higher than at Ole Miss (1100).
• Incoming Ole Miss 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 Mississippi 1000/1200; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mississippi 21/29; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ole Miss - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Ole Miss students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Ole Miss has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Ole Miss vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ole Miss 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 graduation rate at Ole Miss is the same as at Mississippi State University (60% vs. 60%).
• Graduates from University of Mississippi earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,700 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mississippi graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Ole Miss graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($206 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ole Miss students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

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.