LSUA vs. MC

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, LA with Mississippi College in Clinton, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University Alexandria is larger than MC based on total student enrollment (6,815 students vs. 4,164 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Mississippi College is in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; Mississippi College 14:1.

LSUA vs. MC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA or MC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Alexandria than MC ($8,296 vs. $28,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 40.5% lower than at Mississippi College ($9,598 vs. $16,120).
• Mississippi College is 233.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $16,450 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at MC than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $8,850 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (100% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi College students is 67.6% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($12,676 vs. $7,561).

LSUA vs. MC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA or MC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MC and LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 100 points higher than at LSUA (1100).
• Incoming MC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; Mississippi College 1140/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22; Mississippi College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; MC - Required.
• Enrolled freshman MC students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 91% at MC.

LSUA vs. MC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA and MC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Mississippi College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from Mississippi College earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $7,293 lower median loan debt than MC graduates ($17,707 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MC graduates ($183 vs. $258).
• More MC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.