University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL 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 University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 6,820 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama than Mississippi State ($13,954 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 36.2% lower than at Mississippi State University ($8,230 vs. $12,902).
• University of West Alabama is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $788 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at Mississippi State than at University of West Alabama (about $7,547 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $20,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of West Alabama (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 53.3% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($13,852 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 240 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming Mississippi State students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $3,239 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($240 vs. $273).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 36%)

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.