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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $29,267 |
| Tuition and Fees | $27,637 |
| Room and Board | $12,902 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$11,672 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $17,595 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $14,332 |
| $30–48k | $14,372 |
| $48–75k | $18,671 |
| $75–110k | $20,704 |
| $110k+ | $22,987 |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Mississippi State University graduates carry median debt of $22,142, which compares favorably to debt levels at similar institutions. Debt ranges from $6,083 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating variation in borrowing patterns among students.
The median debt exceeds the peer median of $20,000 by $2,142, placing Mississippi State slightly above typical borrowing levels for similar institutions. With median earnings of $51,513, the debt-to-earnings ratio reaches 0.43, indicating manageable debt relative to post-graduation income.
This ratio suggests graduates should be able to handle loan payments within reasonable timeframes using standard repayment plans. Parent PLUS borrowers carry median debt of $19,043 with monthly payments of $251, representing additional family borrowing beyond student loans.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Mississippi State University presents a solid investment profile despite earnings that fall $13,162 below expectations for similar students. Graduates earn $51,513 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 45th percentile nationally, while carrying manageable debt loads of $22,142.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 indicates sustainable borrowing relative to income potential, supporting long-term financial stability. While graduates earn $9,030 less than the peer median of $60,543, this occurs alongside net prices just $89 above peer levels and debt levels only $2,142 higher than peer medians.
The university's strength in mobility performance (90th percentile) suggests effective support for economic advancement among diverse student populations, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. Engineering and business programs demonstrate strong value propositions, with Chemical Engineering graduates earning $91,204 and Mechanical Engineering graduates earning $86,449.
Mississippi State University provides comprehensive financial aid that significantly reduces costs for most students. The average financial aid package saves students $11,421 annually compared to the published cost of attendance of $26,922.
With 28.6% of students receiving Pell grants, Mississippi State enrolls a substantial population qualifying for federal need-based aid. The university's aid strategy effectively targets support toward lower-income students, as evidenced by the progressive net price structure across income tiers.
Net prices for the lowest income families ($11,968) represent 44% of the published cost, while the highest income families pay $20,463, or 76% of sticker price. This pattern indicates institutional grants and federal aid combine to provide meaningful cost reduction, particularly for students from families earning below $75,000 annually.
