In-state vs. out-of-state tuition at Mississippi State
Mississippi State charges $10,202 a year in published tuition and fees for Mississippi residents, about $5,101 a semester, and $27,637 a year for students from other states, about $13,818 a semester, a difference of $17,435. About 44% of first-year students came from out of state. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships. Compare out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities →
What makes Mississippi State different
- A land-grant university. Agriculture, engineering and the College of Veterinary Medicine are central to its mission.
- Cowbells. Fans ring cowbells at games, a tradition that goes back generations.
- Smaller than most SEC schools. About 18,400 undergraduates, in a small college town.
What Mississippi State students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): business administration (377), psychology (264), exercise science (243), interdisciplinary studies (233), elementary education (214) and mechanical engineering (176). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at Mississippi State if…
- You're interested in agriculture, engineering, education or animal science.
- You want an SEC university with a smaller-town feel.
- Traditions and community matter to you.
Worth asking about
- What hands-on and research opportunities are open to first-year students?
- What scholarships are available to out-of-state students?
How Mississippi State compares with the other SEC schools
Mississippi State is one of the SEC's smaller universities, with deep land-grant roots. See how the 16 SEC schools differ.
FAQ
What is Mississippi State's acceptance rate? 77.6% for fall 2024.
What is Mississippi State's out-of-state acceptance rate? Federal data doesn't separate acceptance rates for in-state and out-of-state applicants. Mississippi State admitted 77.6% of all applicants for fall 2024, and 44% of first-year students came from out of state. Out-of-state tuition and fees are $27,637 a year before aid; you may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships. Some universities publish their own in-state and out-of-state figures, so it's worth asking the Mississippi State admissions office.
What is Mississippi State known for? Agriculture, engineering, veterinary medicine and cowbells.
How much does Mississippi State cost? Published tuition and fees are $10,202 a year in-state and $27,637 out-of-state, before any aid.
How much is Mississippi State tuition per semester? About $5,101 a semester for Mississippi residents and $13,818 for out-of-state students, based on published yearly tuition and fees of $10,202 and $27,637 before aid.
Is Mississippi State an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, Mississippi State University is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to Mississippi State? About 18,400 undergraduates (fall 2024).
Wondering if engineering or agriculture fits you?
Lens's Major Ideas suggest which areas may suit your interests and strengths. Start with Lens →