University of Mississippi vs Delta State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Mississippi holds a 36-point ROI advantage over Delta State University, scoring 65/100 versus 29/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Mississippi comes in at $13,314 per year (net price after aid) versus $13,540 at Delta State University - a difference of $226 annually, or roughly $904 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Mississippi graduates earn a median of $50,994 compared to $41,991 at Delta State University. The payback period is 12.1 years at University of Mississippi versus 27.8 years at Delta State University.
Graduates leave University of Mississippi with a median $20,000 in debt versus $20,390 at Delta State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.63 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Mississippi | Delta State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,772 | $8,605 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $28,600 | $8,605 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,314 | $13,540 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $53,256 | $54,160 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $41,300 | $32,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $50,994 | $41,991 |
| Graduation Rate | 71.7% | 48.1% |
| Payback Period | 12.1 yr | 27.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $20,000 | $20,390 |
| Monthly Payment | $212 | $216 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.63 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 74.0% | 69.4% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 66.8% | 56.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.6% | 100.0% |
| Enrollment | 21,473 | 1,620 |
| SAT Range | 1000-1200 | 925-1210 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Missis... | Delta State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $8,945 | $12,223 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,217 | $10,615 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,794 | $10,625 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,573 | $17,170 |
| $110,001+ | $21,313 | $16,950 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Missis... | Delta State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $87,701 | $76,031 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,414 | $55,424 |
| Biology | $58,393 | $46,266 |
| Psychology | $49,974 | $37,868 |
| Social Work | $43,571 | $47,196 |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $47,048 | $43,300 |
| Business Administration and Management | $39,464 | $45,058 |
| Teacher Education | $42,535 | $41,177 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Missis... | Delta State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 67 | 24 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 49 | 18 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 76 | 44 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 81 | 34 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 51 | 38 |
| Overall ROI Score | 65 | 29 |
The Verdict
University of Mississippi significantly outperforms Delta State University on financial ROI (65 vs 29). The 36-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Delta State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Mississippi.
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University of Mississippi
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Delta State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.