Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University #934 for overall value among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 40.6th percentile for overall value in the Azimuth coverage set. Azimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University #911 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 40.6th percentile for mobility in the Azimuth coverage set.
Azimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University #934 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Itta Bena, Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University enrolls roughly 1,439 undergraduates. The institution serves a student population with substantial financial need: 56.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 42.6% are first-generation college students. Retention stands at 69.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 26.8%. Mississippi Valley State University delivers meaningful outcomes for its students relative to comparable regional public institutions. Azimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University #1346 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $40,972. The institution's education-focused program portfolio — with Education as the dominant field — aligns with Mississippi's workforce needs in teaching and related professions, supporting pathways into stable, in-demand careers. Access and mobility anchor the institution's value proposition. Mississippi Valley State University sits in the 66.5 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting its role as a broad-access public university serving rural Mississippi. Azimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University 38.5 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, indicating that the institution successfully moves low-income and first-generation students into sustainable career pathways. For many families in Mississippi seeking an affordable, accessible path to a degree with genuine labor-market alignment, Mississippi Valley State University offers a practical choice grounded in regional economic realities.
Mississippi Valley State University's published cost of attendance is $21,154. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $9,073, middle-income families pay around $9,627, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,479. Azimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University #322 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $28,413, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $9,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For the typical graduate at Mississippi Valley State University's median four-year earnings of $40,972, median federal debt of $28,413 projects to a monthly payment of about $321 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Mississippi Valley State University is a good fit for students seeking a public university experience in MS with a focus on Education. It works well for students who want a regional institution with strong access for Pell-eligible and first-generation applicants — 56.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 42.6% are first-generation. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $40,972, placing Mississippi Valley State University in the 1.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They also earn about $5,125 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 36.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The aid structure supports affordability for families across the income spectrum. Published cost of attendance is $17,479, and median federal debt at graduation is $28,413, in line with regional norms for public universities. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors Education, and earnings outcomes track MS's regional labor market. Students whose interests align with those areas and who prioritize affordability will find Mississippi Valley State University a strong option.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Mississippi Valley State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Mississippi Valley State University's published cost of attendance is $21,154. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that headline figure: low-income families pay approximately $9,073, middle-income families pay around $9,627, and higher-income families pay approximately $17,479.
Azimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University #322 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $28,413, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $9,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures.
For the typical graduate at Mississippi Valley State University's median four-year earnings of $40,972, median federal debt of $28,413 projects to a monthly payment of about $321 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Mississippi Valley State University earn median 4-year earnings of $40,972, placing Mississippi Valley State University in the 1.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $5,125 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Mississippi Valley State University in the 36.1 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Mississippi Valley State University #1346 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These figures represent lifetime returns relative to MS's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $29,193 (the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential).
The earnings pattern centers on education and teaching fields, which align with Mississippi Valley State University's dominant program family. Teacher Education is the largest program with 35 graduates, followed by General Studies with 26 graduates and Social Work with 23 graduates.
Biology, General and Business Administration round out the top five by enrollment. Business Administration graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,691, representing 0.8× the national benchmark for the field [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
The concentration in education and related fields reflects Mississippi Valley State University's mission-driven focus on preparing educators and social-service professionals for careers that serve Mississippi and the broader region.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
19 graduates
Biology, General
22 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
15 graduates
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
11 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
17 graduates
Mississippi Valley State University's program mix is anchored in education and teacher preparation — a signature aligned with the institution's historical mission as a historically Black university serving the region. Teacher Education is the largest program with 35 graduates, followed by General Studies, Social Work, Biology, General, and Business Administration.
Across 11 programs serving roughly 191 students annually, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold. The institution's highest-aggregate-return program is Business Administration, which combines substantial enrollment with solid four-year earnings of $53,691.
Business Administration represents the strongest individual earnings outcome, with 19 graduates earning median four-year earnings of $53,691 [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). The program-mix distribution reflects Mississippi Valley State University's identity as an education-focused institution: Education accounts for 17%, Business represents 10%, and Arts comprises 3%.
Many of Mississippi Valley State University's dominant programs are direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter education, social services, and public-sector roles — fields where four-year earnings reflect stable labor-market outcomes and regional demand. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how the institution's program portfolio aligns with workforce needs in Mississippi and the broader South.
For students prioritizing teacher preparation, counseling, or public-service careers, Mississippi Valley State University's concentrated program mix offers clear pathways and peer cohorts within those fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Oregon University Similar quality tier (#28265 ranked) | OR | 89% | $49,175 | #28265 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina Asheville Similar quality tier in Southeast (#28264 ranked) | NC | 92% | $44,030 | #28264 | Compare |
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma Similar quality tier (#28263 ranked) | OK | 66% | $41,913 | #28263 | Compare |
Dakota State University Similar quality tier (#28808 ranked) | SD | 88% | $50,970 | #28808 | Compare |
Suny College At Potsdam Similar quality tier (#29324 ranked) | NY | 78% | $47,866 | #29324 | Compare |
