University of South Alabama vs. Mississippi State

Deciding between University of South Alabama and Mississippi State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of South Alabama
Mississippi State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of South Alabama Mobile, AL
  • Mississippi State Mississippi State, MS
  • Setting
  • University of South Alabama Midsize City
  • Mississippi State Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • University of South Alabama 14,003
  • Mississippi State 23,150
  • Type
  • University of South Alabama Public 4 Year
  • Mississippi State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of South Alabama #770
  • Mississippi State #489
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of South Alabama -
  • Mississippi State -
  • Status
  • University of South Alabama Non-profit
  • Mississippi State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of South Alabama
  • Mississippi State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of South Alabama $10,116
  • Mississippi State $10,202
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of South Alabama $19,092
  • Mississippi State $27,637
  • Room & Board
  • University of South Alabama $11,366
  • Mississippi State $12,902
  • Average Net Price
  • University of South Alabama $16,074
  • Mississippi State $18,478
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama $9,329
  • Mississippi State $13,852
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of South Alabama 96%
  • Mississippi State 96%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of South Alabama 12,982
  • Mississippi State 23,346
  • Admitted
  • University of South Alabama 9,212
  • Mississippi State 18,125
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of South Alabama 71%
  • Mississippi State 77.6%
  • Enrolled
  • University of South Alabama 21%
  • Mississippi State 19.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of South Alabama 1080
  • Mississippi State 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of South Alabama 23
  • Mississippi State 25
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of South Alabama 3.69
  • Mississippi State 3.58
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of South Alabama A-
  • Mississippi State A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of South Alabama Easy
  • Mississippi State Difficult
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of South Alabama Low
  • Mississippi State
  • ACT Range
  • University of South Alabama 20/26
  • Mississippi State 21/29
  • SAT Range
  • University of South Alabama 970/1190
  • Mississippi State 1100/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of South Alabama Test optional
  • Mississippi State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027
  • Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of South Alabama 19:1
  • Mississippi State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of South Alabama
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Engineering (6%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Mississippi State
    • Business (23%)
    • Education (17%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of South Alabama 39%
  • Mississippi State 60%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of South Alabama $45,200
  • Mississippi State $47,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of South Alabama 45%
  • Mississippi State 63%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of South Alabama $24,500
  • Mississippi State $23,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of South Alabama $253
  • Mississippi State $240

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of South Alabama 32%
  • Mississippi State 48%
  • % Women
  • University of South Alabama 68%
  • Mississippi State 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of South Alabama High
  • Mississippi State Low
  • HBCU
  • University of South Alabama No
  • Mississippi State No
  • % White
  • University of South Alabama 59%
  • Mississippi State 72%
  • % Asian
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • Mississippi State 1%
  • % Black
  • University of South Alabama 24%
  • Mississippi State 20%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • Mississippi State 2%
  • % Native American
  • University of South Alabama 1%
  • Mississippi State 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of South Alabama 0%
  • Mississippi State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of South Alabama 3%
  • Mississippi State 2%
  • % International
  • University of South Alabama 5%
  • Mississippi State 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of South Alabama 2%
  • Mississippi State 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of South Alabama 72%
  • Mississippi State 56%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of South Alabama 26%
  • Mississippi State 43%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of South Alabama Yes
  • Mississippi State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of South Alabama No
  • Mississippi State No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of South Alabama Yes
  • Mississippi State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of South Alabama Yes
  • Mississippi State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of South Alabama No
  • Mississippi State Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of South Alabama Details
  • Mississippi State Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Alabama in Mobile, AL 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 University of South Alabama based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 14,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of South Alabama is located in Mobile, AL (Midsize City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
  • University of South Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Alabama 19:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

University of South Alabama vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama than Mississippi State ($16,074 vs. $18,478).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 11.9% lower than at Mississippi State University ($11,366 vs. $12,902).
  • Mississippi State University is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of South Alabama (about $86 more per year; $10,202.00 vs. $10,116.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.8% higher at Mississippi State than at University of South Alabama (about $8,545 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $19,092.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of South Alabama as at Mississippi State University (96% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 48.5% larger than aid received by University of South Alabama students ($13,852 vs. $9,329).

University of South Alabama vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama 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 University of South Alabama.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 150 points higher than at University of South Alabama (1080).
  • Incoming Mississippi State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at University of South Alabama).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 970/1190; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Alabama 20/26; Mississippi State University 21/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Alabama - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of South Alabama Jul 15, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
  • Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than University of South Alabama (71%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at University of South Alabama vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

University of South Alabama vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Alabama 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).

  • Mississippi State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of South Alabama's (39%).
  • Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than University of South Alabama graduates ($23,250 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Alabama graduates ($240 vs. $253).
  • More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 45%)

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.