Michigan State vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Michigan State University is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (52,089 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Michigan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Michigan State University 17:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Michigan State vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Michigan State or Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State University than Michigan State ($18,478 vs. $23,657).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan State University are 2.6% lower than at Mississippi State University ($12,564 vs. $12,902).
• Michigan State University is 61.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $6,256 more per year; $16,458.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.6% higher at Michigan State than at Mississippi State University (about $16,205 more per year; $43,842.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Michigan State University (96% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 42.1% larger than aid received by Michigan State University students ($13,852 vs. $9,750).

Michigan State vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Michigan State or Mississippi State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mississippi State and Michigan State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan State University (1270) is 40 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Michigan State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 1180/1360; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Michigan State University 25/31; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Michigan State - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Michigan State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Michigan State has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at Michigan State vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Michigan State vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Michigan State and Mississippi State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Michigan State University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Michigan State University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $2,234 lower median loan debt than Michigan State graduates ($23,250 vs. $25,484).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan State graduates ($240 vs. $263).
• More Michigan State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 63%)

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.