Delta State University
Cleveland, Mississippi · Public · 100.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 29/100 · Poor Value
Delta State University, a small open-enrollment public in Cleveland, Mississippi, posts an ROI score of 29 -- Poor Value tier and one of the weaker numbers in this batch. Median 10-year earnings of $41,991 are below the national bachelor's median, modeled payback runs 27.8 years (one of the longest in the dataset), debt-to-earnings sits at 0.63 against median debt of $20,390, and completion is 48.1%. The 5-year repayment rate of 56.3% indicates many graduates struggle to service loans even years after graduation. Net price of $13,540 is moderate (in-state tuition is just $8,605), and the school plays an important regional role in the Mississippi Delta -- one of the most economically distressed regions in the country. Pell rate of 41.8% reflects high need-based enrollment. The bright spot is nursing -- 46 graduates per year earning $68,221 first-year and $76,031 four years out, with a B+ ROI grade -- and Delta State's noted aviation program (23 graduates). Most other majors land at C, D, or F ROI grades, including biology and psychology with debt-to-earnings ratios above 1.0. Delta State serves a critical regional purpose, but on pure financial-return math the school is hard to recommend outside of nursing.
The data raises concerns about Delta State University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score29/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period27.8 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Delta State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,605/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $8,605/yr |
| Average net price | $13,540/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $54,160 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,991 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $32,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,390 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $216 |
| Estimated payback period | 27.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 48.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,620 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Delta State University is $8,605/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $13,540/year, or roughly $54,160 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $12,223/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $16,950/year.
The median graduate leaves with $20,390 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $216 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $41,991 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.63 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,223 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,615 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,625 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,170 |
| $110,001+ | $16,950 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $12,223 net annually -- modest discounting from the $13,540 average. Pell + Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant carry most of the load. Four-year cost runs about $49,000. For a Pell-eligible nursing student who completes, the math pencils strongly. For non-nursing tracks at this income, the four-year totals relative to median earnings make the math hard.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Note inverted brackets: families earning $30,001-$48,000 pay $10,615, and the $48,001-$75,000 group pays $10,625 -- both LESS than the lowest-income tier. The $75,001-$110,000 bracket jumps to $17,170, and $110,001-plus drops to $16,950 -- another inversion. These non-monotonic patterns reflect Mississippi state aid structure plus institutional aid quirks. Middle-income four-year totals run $42,000-$69,000.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $16,950 -- about double in-state tuition, indicating Delta State includes room/board/fees and offers minimal merit aid at this bracket. Four years runs roughly $68,000. With median 10-year earnings under $42,000, lifetime ROI math is weak unless the student majors in nursing. High-income families should compare against Mississippi State or Ole Miss seriously.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Delta State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $43,300 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $76,031 | B+ |
| Teacher Education | $41,177 | C+ |
| Biology | $46,266 | F |
| Family and Consumer Sciences | $41,285 | D |
| Business Administration and Management | $45,058 | C+ |
| Air Transportation | $32,537 | C |
| Psychology | $37,868 | F |
| Visual and Performing Arts | $24,839 | D |
| Social Work | $47,196 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is Delta State's flagship and the program where the value math actually pencils. With 46 graduates per year, $68,221 first-year and $76,031 four-year median earnings, and median debt of $23,590, nursing posts a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade. Mississippi nursing demand and Delta State's clinical placements at Bolivar Medical Center and other regional hospitals make this a strong value proposition for prepared students.
Teacher Education, Subject-Specific
Subject-specific teacher education graduates 52 students per year (the largest education cohort) with $34,177 first-year and $43,300 four-year median earnings. Median debt of $22,500 yields a 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C ROI grade. Mississippi's teacher salary scale is among the lowest in the country, which holds down the math; PSLF eligibility is critical for this pathway to make financial sense.
Teacher Education
Teacher education graduates 40 students per year with $39,008 first-year and $41,177 four-year median earnings. Median debt of $19,500 yields a 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C+ ROI grade -- slightly better than the subject-specific track because of lower borrowing. Still, Mississippi's compressed teacher salary scale means PSLF or TEACH grant eligibility is essential to make this work financially over the long term.
Biology
Biology graduates 34 students per year and posts an F ROI grade. First-year earnings of $20,823 and four-year earnings of $46,266 are paired with median debt of $22,601, producing a 1.09 debt-to-earnings ratio. The four-year recovery suggests many graduates pursue medical, dental, or graduate school; without that next step, bachelor's-only outcomes don't service the debt. Prospective biology students should commit to graduate or professional school plans before enrolling.
Air Transportation
Aviation graduates 23 students per year with $32,537 first-year median earnings (four-year not reported) and median debt of $21,500. Debt-to-earnings of 0.66 produces a C ROI grade. The first-year earnings are typical for aviation graduates building flight hours as instructors before moving to regional airlines; longer-term outcomes are likely better than the data shows. Delta State's aviation program is a recognized regional asset for the Mississippi pilot pipeline.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 69.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 56.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 53.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 100.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 450-620 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 475-590 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-23 |
| Enrollment | 1,620 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 41.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,517 |
Delta State admits 100% of applicants -- effectively open enrollment. SAT mid-range runs 450-620 math and 475-590 reading; ACT spans 17-23 (the lowest in this batch). The 48.1% completion rate aligns with this profile -- admissions is taking academic risk, and a meaningful share of matriculants are not academically prepared to finish a four-year program. Prospective students should self-assess preparation and consider whether community-college transfer might offer a stronger pathway.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Delta State's named peers are Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Adams State University, West Liberty University, and Henderson State University. The peer set is regional state universities, mostly in the Mississippi Delta or comparable economically challenged regions. Jackson State (Mississippi's flagship HBCU) and Alcorn State are similar Mississippi public peers with similar Pell profiles and similar earnings outcomes. Within the Mississippi public system, Delta State sits in the middle on ROI -- below Mississippi State and Ole Miss but comparable to Alcorn and Jackson State.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta State University (this school) | 29 | $13,540 | $41,991 |
| Adams State University | 29 | $12,980 | $44,372 |
| West Liberty University | 27 | $15,366 | $43,296 |
| Henderson State University | 25 | $23,405 | $43,459 |
| Alcorn State University | 16 | $13,265 | $36,421 |
| Jackson State University | 14 | $23,836 | $39,060 |
Who Thrives Here
Delta State fits a Mississippi Delta student -- often Pell-eligible (41.8% Pell), often first-generation, often place-bound -- pursuing a credential in nursing, teaching, or aviation. Enrollment of 1,620 keeps the campus small. Strong fits are nursing students who can complete on schedule and aviation students with clear pilot pathway plans. Weaker fits are biology, psychology, and visual/performing arts majors who would face the school's worst ROI subgroups. Mississippi alternatives like Mississippi State or Ole Miss offer broader programs and better ROI for non-nursing tracks.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Delta State University. With a net cost of $13,540 per year and median graduate earnings of only $41,991 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 27.8 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 48.1% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,390 against $41,991 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.