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Mississippi State Admission Requirements

Mississippi State, Mississippi

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Your chances of getting into Mississippi State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

75.2%
Admission Difficulty for Mississippi State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Mississippi State is 75.2%.  Its admission rate is the 8th lowest in Mississippi.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Mississippi State and can you get accepted?

Mississippi State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 14,158 out of the 18,830 who applied were admitted.

Mississippi State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.58. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Mississippi State?

75% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Mississippi State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.58 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Mississippi State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.58

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Mississippi State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Mississippi State are to have around a 3.58 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.58 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Mississippi State accepts 75% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Mississippi State is 3.58 on the 4.0 scale. 30% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in Mississippi for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Mississippi State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Mississippi State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 30.1% Good
3.75 to 3.99 20.5% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.2% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 10.8% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 8.9% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 9.8% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.8% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Mississippi State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Mississippi State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 7% of students submitted SAT scores and 90% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1070-1280

Applicants Submitting SAT 

7%
SAT Scores for Mississippi State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 540
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1070
SAT Scores for Mississippi State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 640
Composite 75th Percentile 1280
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Mississippi State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Mississippi State is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1070-1280. Students who get into Mississippi State University score in the top 47 percent of all SAT test takers..  Mississippi State ranks #4 in the state of Mississippi for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Mississippi State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1070 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1070, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 960, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Mississippi State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1180 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1175, you have around a 75% chance of being admitted. A 1280 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 85% chance of getting in.

Mississippi State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1280 and Above Good >85%
1175 to 1280 Avg + 75%-85%
1070 to 1175 Avg - 61%-75%
965 to 1070 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 965 Low <45%
Calculate My Chances 

Mississippi State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

21-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

90%
ACT Scores for Mississippi State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 21
ACT Scores for Mississippi State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 31
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Mississippi State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Mississippi State is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 29.  The school ranks #4 in Mississippi for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 17.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 90 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Mississippi State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Mississippi State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Mississippi State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 75% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 29 ACT score.

Mississippi State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >85%
25 to 29 Avg + 75%-85%
21 to 25 Avg - 61%-75%
17 to 21 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 17 Low <45%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

78% of Mississippi State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Mississippi State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 26%
Top 25% of class 50%
Top 50% of class 78%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Mississippi State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 10,766 8,064 18,830
Accepted 8,022 6,136 14,158
Acceptance Rate 75% 76% 75%
Enrolled 1,749 1,618 3,367
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 22% 26% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

253

Applicants have 253 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Mississippi State University is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Mississippi State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Mississippi State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Mississippi State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Mississippi State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.58 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1180 and ACT of 25 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Mississippi State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=176080 IPEDS survey data for Mississippi State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024