University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi Valley State University

Should I go to University of West Alabama or Mississippi Valley State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of West Alabama or Mississippi Valley State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi Valley State University comparison
University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University College 3 College 4
Mississippi Valley State University
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Overview

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
Location Livingston, AL Itta Bena, MS
Setting Remote Rural Remote Town
Enrollment 5,860 1,879
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #994
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu mvsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $7,394
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $7,394
Room & Board $7,820 $8,112
Avg Net Price $13,786 $11,598
Avg Grant Aid $9,291 $9,961
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 91%

Admission

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,131 2,436
Admitted 2,156 1,578
Acceptance Rate 68.9% 64.8%
Enrolled % 14.4% 14.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/21 13/22
SAT Range 880/980
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Education (29%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Human Services (19%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
Graduation Rate 28% 24%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $26,600
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 35%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $29,336
Median Loan Payment $273 $303

Diversity

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
% Men 25% 42%
% Women 75% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Extremely Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 45% 3%
% Black 40% 92%
% Hispanic 2% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
% In-State 81% 54%
% Out-of-State 13% 45%

Campus

University of West Alabama Mississippi Valley State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of West Alabama is larger than than Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (5,860 students vs. 1,879 students)

University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi Valley State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or Mississippi Valley State University?

  • University of West Alabama is 23.1% more expensive to attend than Mississippi Valley State University for in-state tuition ($9,100.00 vs. $7,394.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 146.1% higher at University of West Alabama than Mississippi Valley State University ($18,200.00 vs. $7,394.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mississippi Valley State University than University of West Alabama ($11,598 vs. $13,786)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 3.7% lower than costs at Mississippi Valley State University ($7,820 vs. $8,112)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than University of West Alabama (91% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students is 7.2% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($9,961 vs. $9,291)

University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi Valley State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama or Mississippi Valley State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mississippi Valley State University or University of West Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of West Alabama (930) is 80 points higher than at Mississippi Valley State University (850)
  • Incoming University of West Alabama students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (18)
  • Accepted freshman University of West Alabama students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9)
  • University of West Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (68.9%) than Mississippi Valley State University (64.8%)

University of West Alabama vs. Mississippi Valley State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or Mississippi Valley State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mississippi Valley State University and University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at University of West Alabama is higher than Mississippi Valley State University (28% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn on average $11,900 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates after ten years. ($38,500 vs. $26,600)
  • University of West Alabama students graduate with a $2,847 lower median federal student loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates. ($26,489 vs. $29,336)
  • University of West Alabama graduates are paying $30 less per month on federal student loans than Mississippi Valley State University graduates. ($273 vs. $303)
  • More University of West Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/