Students at Mississippi State University benefit from above-average affordability and particularly strong outcomes in engineering and technical fields.
The university's zero default rate and manageable debt levels create a sustainable path to career success, especially for students in high-demand STEM disciplines.
Mississippi State University ranks among the middle tier of public four-year institutions nationwide, offering a balanced combination of affordability and career preparation. Located in Mississippi State, this large public research university serves about 29% Pell Grant recipients and nearly 25% first-generation college students, providing broad access to quality higher education in the region.
What distinguishes MSU is its particularly strong performance in engineering disciplines, where graduates consistently achieve earnings well above the university's overall median. The institution's 63% six-year graduation rate reflects solid academic support, while net prices remain manageable across income levels. Engineering programs like mechanical and electrical engineering produce some of the highest-earning graduates, with median salaries reaching into the mid-$70,000s ten years after enrollment.
As Mississippi's flagship research university, MSU combines the resources of a major public institution with the accessibility that many families need. The university offers comprehensive academic programs while maintaining cost structures that make higher education attainable for students across the economic spectrum, particularly those planning careers in technical fields where MSU has established strong industry connections.
Mississippi State University's program portfolio centers on engineering excellence, with mechanical and electrical engineering leading both in earnings outcomes and aggregate economic impact. Mechanical Engineering, with 192 graduates earning a median of $73,852, represents the university's strongest combination of scale and financial returns. Electrical and Electronics Engineering produces the highest individual earnings at $74,405, though with a smaller cohort of 64 graduates.
Business Administration and Management enrolls the largest number of students at 301 graduates, reflecting broad student interest in business careers, though with more moderate median earnings of $35,009. This pattern illustrates MSU's dual mission: serving students across academic interests while maintaining particular excellence in technical fields that drive regional economic development.
The contrast between high-earning engineering programs and lower-earning fields like Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where graduates earn around $20,140, underscores the importance of program selection at MSU. Students interested in research-oriented fields may need to consider graduate school pathways, while those in engineering benefit from direct entry into well-compensated careers. The university's research infrastructure and industry partnerships particularly benefit students in technical disciplines, creating pathways to stable, high-paying careers in manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors throughout the Southeast.
Mississippi State University graduates earn a median of $51,513 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the national average for long-term earnings outcomes. While overall earnings are moderate, the university shows significant variation by field of study, with engineering and technical programs delivering substantially stronger financial returns than the institutional median.
Mechanical Engineering stands out as MSU's highest aggregate-return program, combining strong enrollment of 192 graduates with impressive median earnings of $73,852. Electrical and Electronics Engineering produces the highest individual earnings at $74,405 for its 64 graduates, while Business Administration and Management represents the largest program with 301 graduates earning a median of $35,009. The contrast between engineering outcomes and other fields like Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where graduates earn around $20,140, illustrates how program choice significantly impacts financial returns at MSU.
The university's engineering focus creates pathways to stable, well-compensated careers in manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors that have strong presence in the Southeast. Students in technical disciplines benefit from MSU's research infrastructure and industry partnerships, which help explain why engineering graduates achieve earnings that substantially exceed the university's overall median and compete favorably with similar programs nationwide.
Mississippi State University maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay approximately $11,968 annually in net price, while middle-income families see costs around $16,750, and higher-income students face about $20,463 per year. These price points place MSU well above average nationally for affordability, particularly benefiting middle-income families who often struggle with college costs.
The university's debt structure remains manageable for most graduates. Typical federal student loan debt totals about $22,142, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $19,043. With a 0% federal loan default rate, MSU demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational debt obligations. The combination of reasonable borrowing levels and solid career outcomes, especially in high-demand fields like engineering, creates a sustainable financial pathway for most students.
MSU's pricing strategy reflects its mission as a public research university serving Mississippi and the broader Southeast region. The institution balances the need to provide quality education with keeping costs within reach of working families, creating an environment where students can focus on academics rather than worrying about overwhelming financial burdens.
Mississippi State University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
