Mississippi State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS with University of Missouri Columbia in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (31,543 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); University of Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

Mississippi State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri-Columbia ($18,478 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 5.8% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($12,902 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 45.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $4,635 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at Mississippi State University (about $8,419 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of Missouri Columbia (96% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students ($13,852 vs. $13,203).

Mississippi State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi State or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 University of Missouri-Columbia and Mississippi State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 10 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Mississippi State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 1100/1350; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• University of Missouri-Columbia has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

Mississippi State vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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).

• University of Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Columbia graduates have a $1,367 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($21,883 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Columbia graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($226 vs. $240).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.