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Mississippi State University (MSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Mississippi State University

On fall Saturdays, the sound of cowbells drifts across campus, a nod to a culture built on tradition and belonging. Mississippi State is known for land-grant grit paired with thoughtful scholarship. Students explore STEM, design, and the humanities, with hands-on work in labs, studios, and research spaces. Support is easy to reach through advising, tutoring, libraries, and wellness services.

Life feels friendly and unhurried. Student organizations, service projects, outdoor recreation, and Bulldog athletics keep the calendar full. Career prep comes through internships, co-ops, and faculty mentorship, backed by alumni ties across the South. Starkville adds a walkable college-town scene with local food and music. Traditions run deep, and alumni include NFL quarterback Dak Prescott.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
Lee Boulevard, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA
Unit ID
176080

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
SACSCOC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
Campus Setting
Located in a remote town (35+ miles from urbanized area)
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral - R1 (Very High Research)
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$9,815
Tuition $9,665 + Fee $150
Out-of-State
$26,580
Tuition $26,430 + Fee $150
Student Profile
Total Students 22,657
Undergraduate 18,092
Graduate/Other 4,565
Male: 10,903 Female: 11,754
Applications
Total Applicants 20,877
Admitted 15,934
Enrolled 3,751
Acceptance: 76.3% Yield: 23.5%
Staff
Total Staff 5,451
Full-time 4,925
Part-time 526
Full-time: 90.4% Part-time: 9.6%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Mississippi State University (MSU) offers 107 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 5,824 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (8 programs, 1,206 graduates), Engineering (12 programs, 858 graduates), Education (15 programs, 687 graduates), Agriculture (12 programs, 444 graduates) and Psychology (2 programs, 374 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (8 programs, 1,206 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 634
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
52.0201
Marketing Management 177
Bachelor's
52.1401
Accounting 154
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0301
Finance, General 104
Bachelor's
52.0801
Management Information Systems 63
Bachelor's
Master's
52.1201
Logistics and Supply Chain Management 52
Bachelor's
52.0203
Business Economics 17
Bachelor's
52.0601
Taxation 5
Master's
52.1601
Engineering (12 programs, 858 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Mechanical Engineering 223
Bachelor's
Master's
14.1901
Civil Engineering 123
Bachelor's
Master's
14.0801
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 119
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.1001
Industrial Engineering 91
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.3501
Aerospace Engineering 77
Bachelor's
Master's
14.0201
Biomedical Engineering 60
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0501
Chemical Engineering 52
Bachelor's
Master's
14.0701
Engineering 49
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.9999
General Engineering 34
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0101
Computer Engineering 22
Bachelor's
14.0901
Petroleum Engineering 5
Bachelor's
14.2501
Biological and Biosystems Engineering 3
Bachelor's
14.4501
Education (15 programs, 687 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Elementary Education 227
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1202
Secondary Education and Teaching 98
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1205
General Education 57
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0101
Educational Leadership and Administration 53
Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0401
Middle School Education and Teaching 50
Master's
13.1203
Special Education Teaching 46
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1001
School Counseling and Guidance 44
Master's
13.1101
Community College Administration 31
Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0407
Music Teacher Education 23
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1312
Agricultural Teacher Education 16
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1301
Instructional Technology 15
Bachelor's
13.0501
Teacher Education and Professional Development in Specific Subject Areas 11
Master's
13.1399
Higher Education Administration 6
Master's
13.0406
Environmental Education 6
Master's
13.1338
Curriculum and Instruction 4
Doctorate (R)
13.0301
Agriculture (12 programs, 444 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Veterinary Medicine 95
Doctorate (P)
01.8001
Animal Sciences 92
Bachelor's
01.0901
Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture 50
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
01.0308
Agribusiness Operations 39
Bachelor's
01.0102
Agricultural Business and Management 31
Master's
01.0101
Food Science 31
Bachelor's
01.1001
Agronomy and Crop Science 28
Bachelor's
01.1102
Veterinary Technology and Animal Health Assistant 22
Bachelor's
01.8301
Landscaping and Groundskeeping 18
Bachelor's
01.0605
Horticultural Science 15
Bachelor's
01.1103
Veterinary Pathology 13
Master's
Doctorate (R)
01.8108
Poultry Science 10
Bachelor's
01.0907
Psychology (2 programs, 374 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 279
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
42.0101
Educational Psychology 95
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
42.2806
Biological Sciences (8 programs, 295 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 142
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0101
Biochemistry 71
Bachelor's
26.0202
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology 36
Bachelor's
26.0503
Botany and Plant Biology 21
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0301
Zoology and Animal Biology 19
Master's
Doctorate (R)
26.0799
Computational Biology 3
Master's
26.1104
Toxicology 2
Doctorate (R)
26.1004
Molecular Biology 1
Doctorate (R)
26.0204
Interdisciplinary (5 programs, 273 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies 233
Bachelor's
30.9999
Nutrition Sciences 23
Master's
Doctorate (R)
30.1901
Data Science 14
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
30.7001
Biological and Physical Sciences 2
Bachelor's
30.0101
Historic Preservation and Conservation 1
Postbac Cert.
30.1201
Kinesiology (1 programs, 260 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 260
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
31.0505
Physical Sciences (4 programs, 192 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Geology and Earth Science 147
Bachelor's
Master's
40.0601
Chemistry 25
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
40.0501
Physics 16
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
40.0801
Earth Sciences 4
Doctorate (R)
40.0699
Natural Resources (6 programs, 167 graduates)
Environmental Science and Natural Resource Management
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management 66
Bachelor's
Master's
03.0601
Forest Sciences and Biology 43
Bachelor's
Master's
03.0502
Environmental Studies 34
Bachelor's
Master's
03.0103
Natural Resources Conservation 14
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
03.0101
Wood Science and Pulp & Paper Technology 7
Master's
03.0509
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 3
Bachelor's
03.0204

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Mississippi State University (MSU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
1110 - 1410
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 570 - 690
Median: 610
Math 540 - 720
Median: 610
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
21 - 29
25th-75th percentile
English 21 - 30
Median: 24
Math 19 - 27
Median: 24

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$29,454
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$46,219
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$9,815
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$26,580
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$12,293 (on) / $12,516 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$1,200
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$6,146
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$6,146
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$9,815
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$26,580
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

18%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$13,532
Avg. Loan
$7,470
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,377
Additional
Students with Any Grant
3,239
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
1,530
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
1,003
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$11,086
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

63%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
83%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$33,648 – $77,474
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$33,648 (25th %) $77,474 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $51,513
Median Salary After 6 Years
$43,487
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$51,513
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
63.5%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
78.4%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$22,142
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 53.6%
Middle 67.5%
High 76.2%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 66.1%
Independent 52.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Mississippi State University (MSU)

How much does it cost to attend Mississippi State University (MSU)?

The annual tuition at Mississippi State University (MSU) is $9,815 for in-state students and $26,580 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $29,454 for in-state students and $46,219 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,293 (on) / $12,516 (off) and books and supplies $1,200.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Mississippi State University offer?

Mississippi State University (MSU) offers 107 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (8 programs)
  • Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (12 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (15 programs)
  • Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine (12 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Mississippi State University?

Mississippi State University (MSU) has an 76.3% acceptance rate and a 23.5% yield rate, making it selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 20,877
  • Students admitted: 15,934
  • Students enrolled: 3,751

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Mississippi State University?

Mississippi State University (MSU) provides financial aid to 18% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $13,532 and average loans of $7,470.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,475
  • State/Local grants: $2,551
  • Institutional grants: $11,086
  • Federal loans: $5,377

The university supports 3,239 students with grants and 1,530 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Mississippi State University graduates?

Mississippi State University (MSU) graduates earn a median salary of $43,487 after 6 years and $51,513 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $33,648 (25th percentile) to $77,474 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $82,500 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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