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Mississippi State , MS
Mississippi State University, located in Starkville, Mississippi, is a comprehensive, research-driven institution that offers a wide range of academic programs to more than 22,000 students. Established in 1878 as a land-grant institution, Mississippi State aims to provide quality education while engaging in impactful research and community service. The university offers over 175 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across its eight colleges, including Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, and Arts and Sciences.
Known for its strong commitment to research, Mississippi State University houses several research centers and institutes that focus on diverse areas such as agriculture, engineering, energy, and cybersecurity. The Bagley College of Engineering is particularly renowned for its innovative research in advanced materials, aerospace engineering, and autonomous systems. Moreover, Mississippi State's affiliation with the National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center allows students and faculty to engage in research projects of national importance.
Beyond academics, Mississippi State University offers a vibrant campus life through a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities. Athletics also play a central role in the university's culture, with its mascot, the Bulldogs, competing in the Southeastern Conference. The Davis Wade Stadium is home to one of the largest on-campus football facilities in the NCAA, further enhancing the sense of community and school spirit. Overall, Mississippi State University provides a dynamic and well-rounded educational experience, empowering students to excel academically while encouraging them to engage in research and foster lifelong connections.
Located in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public university. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 77%. The freshman retention rate at Mississippi State University is 83% and the six-year graduation rate is 63%.
To find out more about what Mississippi State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
18,567
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
63%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most vital facts you should know about admission at Mississippi State University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 18,125 in 2025.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 6% and ACT scores 85%. 17% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 35% between 1,200 and 1,399, 39% between 1,000 and 1,199, 7% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 24, 35 between 24-29, 34 in the range between 18-23, and 6 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2025 was 25 and the average GPA was 3.6. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 612 and an average SAT Math score of 605.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Mississippi State University was 83%, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 63%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect choice for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Mississippi State University in 2025 was 23,150.
That year, the school had 32.7% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 18,567 undergrad students, including 260 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,909.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 9,189 male and 10,141 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 304, while the number of Afro-American students was 2,835. 830 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 507 identified with more than one race. The school also had 7 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 85 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 133 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Mississippi State University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Mississippi State University estimated tuition fees.
Tuition fees for area resident were $10,454, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $28,586 for students coming from out of state. If you are an international student at Mississippi State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition amounted to $28,586, as well. Full-time students in 2025 had to pay additional fees in the amount of $150.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $28,586 | $150 | $28,736 |
| In-State | $10,454 | $150 | $10,604 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university. The approximate price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at Mississippi State University amounted to $13,514 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $8,456, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $8,812.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 10,454 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,514 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,168 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Mississippi State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,616 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $15,843 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 9,569 students who obtained need-based financial aid of any kind. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 10,643. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $33,381,453, and state $10,425,708. The students of Mississippi State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $43,821,317, and external in the amount of $8,707,567.
$6,022
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,132 students overall (including freshmen) at Mississippi State University in 2025. 473 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $29,992,954. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,554,127 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at Mississippi State University was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,497. Out of that number, there were 757 male and 740 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about social life at Mississippi State University.
It has a campus size of 4,200 acres.
Student Organizations
Involvement in student organizations can make your educational experience more dynamic and gratifying.
This school has 515 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 15 and female students 18. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is AAPI Student Association, followed by Fashion Board and Residence Hall Association. Other popular organizations among the students at Mississippi State University are Black Student Association and Student Association.
Students who like music can join the Mississippi State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Mississippi State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Mississippi State University has a number of services important for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Mississippi State University.
All in all, campus life at Mississippi State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Mississippi State University.
Career Counselling
At Mississippi State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this institution is 59,291 USD.
$59,291
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Mississippi State University is 77%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Mississippi State University is 83%.
Contact Information
Mississippi State University
75 B.S. Hood Drive
Mississippi State , MS
39762
662 325-2323
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
