USF Main Campus vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL (Large City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of South 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 South Florida 22:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

USF Main Campus vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF Main Campus 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 South Florida than Mississippi State ($11,579 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 10.7% lower than at University of South Florida ($12,902 vs. $14,440).
• Mississippi State University is 59.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $3,792 more per year; $10,202.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at Mississippi State than at University of South Florida (about $10,313 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of South Florida (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 30% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($13,852 vs. $10,652).

USF Main Campus vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is the same as at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming USF Main Campus students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 1130/1320; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Florida 24/29; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF Main Campus - Required; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USF Main Campus 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 USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.3% at USF Main Campus vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

USF Main Campus vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF Main Campus 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 South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $4,103 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($19,147 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($197 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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.