Spelman vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mississippi State University is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Spelman vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman 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 Spelman ($18,478 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 28.7% lower than at Spelman College ($12,902 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 209.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $21,354 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at Spelman than at Mississippi State University (about $3,919 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College as at Mississippi State University (96% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 30.5% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($13,852 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman 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 Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 20 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Spelman students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Mississippi State (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Spelman vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 47%)

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.