Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi · Public · 77.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 54/100 · Below Average Value
Mississippi State University scores 54 (Below Average Value) -- a result that significantly undersells the engineering programs while accurately reflecting the humanities and social science outcomes. Median 6-year earnings of $37,100, a 12.7-year payback, and a completion rate of 66.7% are the headline numbers. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.597 and 78.4% three-year repayment rate are adequate. MSU is a 18,397-student land-grant research university in Mississippi State, MS, with 77.6% admission and SAT mid-ranges of 540-680 Math and 560-670 Reading. In-state tuition is $10,202 with net price averaging $17,595. The engineering programs are genuinely strong: Electrical Engineering (83 graduates, B+, $80,896 year-one), Chemical Engineering (89 graduates, B+, $78,183), Mechanical Engineering (193 graduates, B+, $75,161), Aerospace Engineering (68 graduates, B+, $69,056), and Computer Engineering (35 graduates, B+, $72,529). The program mix also includes many low-returning programs -- Biology (143 graduates, F-grade, $20,056 year-one), Human Development (44 graduates, F-grade), and Visual Arts (48 graduates, F-grade) -- which pull the institutional median down substantially. The 29.3% Pell rate is modest for a Southern flagship.
Mississippi State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,202/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $27,637/yr |
| Average net price | $17,595/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $70,380 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,513 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,142 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $235 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 66.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 18,397 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Mississippi State University is $10,202/year ($27,637/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $17,595/year, or roughly $70,380 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,332/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,987/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,142 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $235 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $51,513 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.60 - 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 | $14,332 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,372 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,671 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,704 |
| $110,001+ | $22,987 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $14,332 per year at MSU; the $30,001-48,000 bracket pays $14,372. Over four years, roughly $57,000-$58,000. Against $37,100 median earnings and a 12.7-year payback, the financial case is marginal at the institutional median but strong for engineering students. MSU's in-state affordability means engineering programs at $14k per year produce exceptional returns.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $18,671; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $20,704. The aid taper is moderate. At $18,000-$21,000 per year for engineering or CS, MSU is one of the best values in the South. Middle-income families targeting these programs should strongly consider MSU over more expensive alternatives.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families over $110,000 pay $22,987 per year. At roughly $92,000 over four years, MSU is affordable for high-income families. Engineering programs at this price deliver returns competitive with Tier-1 engineering schools nationally. Non-technical programs at $23k per year face a much harder ROI case given the earnings data.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Mississippi State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $55,993 | C |
| Teacher Education | $40,431 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,503 | D |
| Psychology | $41,986 | D |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $42,399 | D |
| Marketing | $61,364 | C+ |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,893 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,493 | D |
| Biology | $51,221 | F |
| Civil Engineering | $81,203 | B+ |
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.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (83 graduates) earns $80,896 year-one and $106,039 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio 0.331 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $26,750. MSU EE places graduates into Raytheon, L3 Technologies, Tennessee Valley Authority, and regional energy sector employers. The B+ grade reflects strong outcomes at an in-state public price -- a value case comparable to much more expensive private engineering programs.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering (193 graduates -- MSU's largest engineering program) earns $75,161 year-one and $93,893 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio 0.299 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $22,500 is low for these earnings. ME at MSU is the core of the university's engineering pipeline; aerospace, automotive, and energy employers recruit actively from the program.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (99 graduates) earns $58,755 year-one and $82,852 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio 0.424 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $24,896. B grade is solid for a Southern public -- CS graduates access regional technology employers as well as remote roles. The year-four trajectory to $83k reflects mid-career software engineer compensation.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (379 graduates -- among the largest programs) earns $37,975 year-one and $55,993 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio 0.650 (ROI grade C). Median debt of $24,700. C grade reflects moderate outcomes in a regional Mississippi market. Business graduates who enter the Gulf Coast energy corridor or establish careers in Jackson/Memphis see better trajectories than the median reflects.
Biology
Biology (143 graduates) earns $20,056 year-one and $51,221 at year four, debt-to-earnings ratio 1.162 (ROI grade F). Median debt of $23,313 against $20,056 starting is severely negative. The F grade reflects the pre-med/graduate school pipeline challenge: students who don't gain admission to medical or graduate school face very difficult early careers, and the Scorecard captures this cohort at year one. MSU biology students targeting medical school should evaluate MSU's specific pre-med placement data independently.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 78.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 72.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 540-680 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560-670 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-29 |
| Enrollment | 18,397 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 29.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,100 |
MSU admits 77.6% of applicants -- moderately selective. SAT 540-680 Math, 560-670 Reading, ACT 21-29. The wide ranges reflect the university's breadth of programs from engineering to liberal arts. Mississippi residents benefit from in-state tuition of $10,202, making MSU accessible even for high-cost programs. The 12.7-year payback at median earnings reflects the broad program distribution; engineering and technical program graduates see payback periods well under five years.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
MSU's peer set includes Alcorn State, Delta State, Miami University Oxford, University of Louisville, and Montana State. Among Southern land-grant universities, MSU's 54 score understates its engineering strength while accurately reflecting the drag of the lower-returning programs. Miami University Oxford is a stronger academic comparison as a mid-sized public research university. Among land-grants in the region, MSU's engineering outcomes are competitive with Louisiana State and University of Mississippi for technical programs. The 54 institutional score should be interpreted with the program mix in mind: MSU is an engineering-strong institution with a broad lower-returning program portfolio.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State University (this school) | 54 | $17,595 | $51,513 |
| University of Louisville | 58 | $17,988 | $53,899 |
| Miami University-Oxford | 54 | $28,384 | $55,076 |
| Montana State University | 52 | $22,499 | $53,263 |
| Delta State University | 29 | $13,540 | $41,991 |
| Alcorn State University | 16 | $13,265 | $36,421 |
Who Thrives Here
MSU admits 77.6% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 540-680 Math and 560-670 Reading, ACT 21-29. At 18,397 students, it is a mid-sized land-grant with engineering, agriculture, and architecture as historical strengths. The 29.3% Pell rate reflects moderate lower-income access for a Mississippi public institution. Engineering, CS, and agriculture students at MSU access a strong regional employer network including aerospace (Stennis Space Center), automotive, and energy industries. Students in arts, humanities, and general social sciences face structurally constrained outcomes in the Mississippi labor market.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Mississippi State University is mixed. At $17,595 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $51,513 ten years after entry - a payback period of 12.7 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Median debt of $22,142 against $51,513 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.