Mississippi State Admission Requirements
- 6/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Mississippi State, MS
-
0 reviews
Mississippi State Admission Overview
Mississippi State admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Mississippi State admitted 77.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.58 GPA (A-) and SAT 1100-1350 / ACT 21-29. Mississippi State is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Mississippi State is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Mississippi State Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Mississippi State University
Acceptance Rate
The Mississippi State acceptance rate is 77.6%. Last year, 18,125 of 23,346 applicants were admitted. That is the 9th lowest acceptance rate in Mississippi.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Mississippi State and can you get accepted?
Mississippi State is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.
Mississippi State University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.58. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 20% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Mississippi State GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.58Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.58
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Mississippi State typically have around a 3.58 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Mississippi State is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
30% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #3 in Mississippi for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Mississippi State Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Mississippi State University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission; students who do not submit scores are reviewed using high school performance, placement testing, and other factors. Scores are encouraged for scholarships and academic placement. If you submit scores, Mississippi State superscores the SAT and the ACT using a 3-part ACT superscore that excludes Science, and it does not consider the writing section. Homeschooled applicants and applicants without a high school diploma still need to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.admissions.msstate.edu/apply/admission-process/freshman-admissions
Mississippi State SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1100-1350Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
6%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 560
- Math 540
- Composite 1100
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 680
- Composite 1350
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Mississippi State typically score around a 1230 SAT (middle 50% 1100–1350) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 80th percentile nationally. Mississippi State ranks #1 in the state of Mississippi for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1100 to 1350
SAT policy
Mississippi State is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1230 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Mississippi State ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
21-29Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
85%25th Percentile Scores
- English 21
- Math 19
- Composite 21
75th Percentile Scores
- English 30
- Math 27
- Composite 29
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Mississippi State typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 21–29) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Mississippi State places #3 among colleges in Mississippi for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 29
ACT policy
You may apply to Mississippi State without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
78% of Mississippi State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Mississippi State chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Mississippi State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Aug 1, 2027Days left to Apply
334Applicants have 334 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Mississippi State University is $40.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Mississippi State is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 77.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.58 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1100-1350); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Mississippi State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=176080.
GPA calculator: Mississippi State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026