Mississippi State University combines a 76.3% acceptance rate with top-tier mobility performance at the 90.0th percentile nationally. As an Opportunity Builders institution, the university enrolls 28.6% Pell-eligible students while delivering steady earnings growth and controlled debt levels, supporting long-term financial advancement.
Around the national average, reflecting moderate earnings outcomes relative to educational investment
With above average performance, driven by controlled net prices and manageable debt levels
With well above average performance, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to support economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMississippi State University delivers solid earnings outcomes while maintaining manageable debt levels for graduates. Students earn a median of $51,513 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 45th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $33,648 at the 25th percentile to $77,474 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across the university's diverse academic programs. The institution shows earnings $13,162 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing it at the 8.9th percentile for this measure.
Students seeking engineering and business programs with strong career outcomes at accessible admission rates. Well-suited for Mississippi residents looking for in-state value and students prioritizing economic mobility over prestige.
The institution serves first-generation students (24.9%) and Pell-eligible students (28.6%) while delivering solid post-graduation results.
Mississippi State University admits 76.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 4 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Mississippi State in the Open Access category, with admission rates above 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows Mississippi State maintains slightly more selective admission than typical four-year institutions, though the difference is minimal at 1.8 percentage points. This level of accessibility means most academically prepared students can expect admission, though meeting basic eligibility requirements remains important.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Mississippi State University's published cost of attendance is $26,922 per year, including $9,815 in-state tuition, $12,293 for room and board, and $1,200 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students pay $26,580 in tuition.
However, the average student pays just $15,501 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,421 from the sticker price. This net price places Mississippi State just $89 above the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive pricing within its institutional category.
The university's financial aid effectiveness reduces costs substantially for most students, with aid targeting concentrated toward lower-income families. Mississippi State's cost structure reflects typical public university pricing, with significant aid available to reduce the burden for qualifying students.
The modest difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, combined with substantial aid availability, makes Mississippi State accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. Net prices vary significantly based on family income, creating affordability tiers that align with federal financial aid programs and institutional grant policies.
Chemical Engineering, Other.
104 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
64 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
192 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
69 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General.
44 graduates
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Alabama At Birmingham Similar quality tier in Southeast (#281 ranked) | AL | 88% | $54,501 | #281 |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
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This is the Mississippi State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/mississippi-state-university/analysis.
Opportunity Builders: accessibility with economic mobility
Mississippi State University ranks #282 nationally, placing it at the 82.7th percentile in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis. Located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, this large public research university maintains accessible admission standards with a 76.3% acceptance rate while delivering strong outcomes across multiple institutional pillars.
Mississippi State enrolls 28.6% Pell-eligible students and 24.9% first-generation students, demonstrating commitment to educational access. The university excels in mobility performance, ranking at the 90.0th percentile nationally with top-tier performance.
This Opportunity Builders institution combines accessibility with solid post-graduation outcomes, producing graduates who earn $51,513 ten years after enrollment at the 45th percentile nationally. Compared to similar institutions, graduates earn $9,030 less than the peer median of $60,543, though this occurs alongside manageable debt levels below peer averages.
Mississippi State's balanced performance across access, affordability, and mobility positions it as a strong option for students seeking educational opportunity with economic advancement potential.
Students should view Mississippi State as an accessible option when building their college lists, particularly for those seeking strong programs in engineering, business, and agriculture. The university's commitment to educational access aligns with its mission as a public land-grant institution serving Mississippi and the broader region.
Prospective students should focus on demonstrating academic preparation and fit with their intended program of study rather than viewing admission as highly competitive. This accessibility, combined with solid post-graduation outcomes, makes Mississippi State an attractive option for students prioritizing educational opportunity and value.
Mississippi State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression throughout their careers. Median earnings grow from $43,487 six years after enrollment to $46,795 at eight years and $51,513 at ten years, representing 18.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from a ten-year cohort of 4,890 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across diverse academic programs. While graduates earn $9,030 less than the peer median of $60,543, this occurs within the context of broader accessibility and manageable debt levels.
Earnings span from $33,648 at the 25th percentile to $77,474 at the 75th percentile, indicating meaningful variation based on program choice and career trajectory. Low-income graduates earn $42,800, placing Mississippi State in the top 50 nationally for this outcome measure.
Approximately 25.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The university's emphasis on accessibility translates into diverse post-graduation pathways while maintaining economic mobility potential for students from varied backgrounds.
Mississippi State University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive evaluation. Chemical Engineering ranks #30 nationally and #1 in Mississippi, producing 104 graduates with median earnings of $91,204 and a value score of 76.4.
Mechanical Engineering ranks #65 nationally and #1 in Mississippi, graduating 192 students with median earnings of $86,449. Business Administration and Management ranks #226 nationally but #1 in Mississippi, representing the university's largest program with 301 graduates earning $47,624.
Agricultural Animal Breeding ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Mississippi, graduating 107 students with median earnings of $48,123 and an exceptional value score of 93.1. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ranks #17 nationally and #1 in Mississippi, with 82 graduates earning $53,750.
The university's program portfolio spans engineering, business, sciences, and agriculture, reflecting Mississippi State's comprehensive research university mission and strong performance in technical fields.
Tarleton State University Similar quality tier (#283 ranked) | TX | 94% | $53,040 | #283 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-Kansas City Similar quality tier (#279 ranked) | MO | 75% | $59,637 | #279 | Compare |
Appalachian State University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#284 ranked) | NC | 89% | $51,836 | #284 | Compare |
University Of Southern Mississippi Similar quality tier in Southeast (#278 ranked) | MS | 99% | $44,140 | #278 | Compare |
