Acceptance Rate
78%
Avg. SAT
1350
75th percentile
“Cowbell-clanging SEC fans fuel football frenzy alongside hands-on engineers and ag scientists in small-town Starkville.”
Mississippi State, MS
Location
Town
Campus Setting
Mississippi State University traces its roots to 1878, when it opened as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Mississippi, one of the South's early land-grant schools dedicated to practical education in farming and industry. Today, it stands as a sprawling public research university on 4,200 acres in Starkville, a town of about 25,000 where the campus shapes daily life amid pine forests and farmland. You'll find a straightforward, hardworking atmosphere here, with students who value community, school spirit, and getting their hands dirty in labs or fields.
Practical-minded undergraduates drawn to engineering, agriculture, or veterinary paths flourish amid the red-brick buildings and oak-lined walks. Those who love big-time college football and Southern friendliness fit right in, building lasting networks through dorm life and tailgates. Tradeoffs include a rural setting with few urban amenities—nearest airports and cities like Memphis or Birmingham require a drive—and steamy, humid summers that test your tolerance for heat.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
You'll dive into strengths like the Bagley College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, where classes mix lectures with fieldwork on university farms or labs testing crop yields. Early courses often pack hundreds into auditoriums, but upper-level seminars and research projects bring you closer to professors who prioritize real-world applications over abstract theory. Undergrads snag research spots early, building drones in the Raspet Flight Lab or analyzing soil in the agronomy greenhouses.
The intellectual vibe rewards collaboration and grit, especially in architecture's demanding five-year program or forestry majors who manage actual woodlands. Some fields like nursing prove competitive for admission, and large class sizes mean proactive advising helps navigate requirements. Overall, expect a focus on employable skills over ivory-tower debates.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
18,567 undergrad • 4,583 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
72%
Black / African American
15%
Hispanic / Latino
4%
Asian
2%
Other / Multi-racial
8%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Mississippi State, MS
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week blends morning classes with afternoon labs, evenings at the student union's Junction for burgers, and weekends dominated by tailgates or games where cowbells drown out cheers. Greek life engages about a third of undergrads across dozens of chapters, fueling formals and philanthropy, while 350-plus clubs cover everything from rodeo to robotics. Residential life centers on 50 dorms, with freshmen clustered in halls like the lively Freshman Quadrangle, fostering quick bonds but requiring adjustment to shared bathrooms.
The vibe pulses with maroon-clad Bulldog pride, peaking at football in Davis Wade Stadium or baseball at Dudy Noble Field's outfield bleachers. Social scenes tie heavily to sports and campus events, with off-campus spots in the Cotton District offering bars and eats. Challenges involve the isolated small-town feel—entertainment often stays campus-bound—and year-round humidity that keeps outdoor plans indoors.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Southeastern Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
83%
4 Years Graduation Rate
48%
6 Years Graduation Rate
65%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$51,513
83% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Mississippi State University and return in the fall. 48% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 65% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
48%
4-5 years
17%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
33%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$9,248
Acceptance
78%
Undergrads
18,567
4-Year Grad Rate
48%
Endowment
$709M
Mississippi State, MS 39762