Mississippi State University

Mississippi State admitted about 83.6% of applicants in the most recent cycle, taking roughly 22,900 students from a pool of about 27,300 and enrolling around 4,000 first-years. Admission is accessible: students who complete the College Preparatory Curriculum with solid grades have strong odds.

No, Mississippi State is not highly selective. It admits close to 84% of applicants, and academic GPA carries the most weight in its review, with class rank weighed as important. Meet the College Preparatory Curriculum requirements with a competitive GPA and you have a very good chance of admission.

Admitted first-years average about a 3.74 high school GPA, and roughly half of those who reported a class rank sat in the top quarter of their graduating class. Academic GPA is the single most important factor in MSU's admission decision, so strong grades in a college-preparatory schedule matter most.

Yes, a 25 ACT sits just above the median for enrolled first-years. The middle 50% scored 21–29 on the ACT and 1000–1230 on the SAT, so a 25 places you comfortably within the admitted range. Test scores are considered when submitted and also drive scholarship and placement decisions.

Yes, Mississippi State is test-optional. Applicants who skip the SAT or ACT are reviewed on high school performance, placement testing, and other factors. Submitting scores can still help, since the university uses them for scholarships and academic placement, and submitted scores are weighed as a considered factor in admission.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $10,604 for Mississippi residents and $28,736 for out-of-state students. About 61% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average aid package near $17,926, and MSU offers automatic non-resident tuition scholarships that narrow the out-of-state gap for students with strong records.

Many do, which is why nearly 45% of first-years come from outside Mississippi. Sticker tuition and fees reach about $28,736 for non-residents, but the university awards automatic out-of-state tuition scholarships tied to GPA and test scores that cut the cost substantially for qualified applicants.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 19% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering at 18%. As a land-grant university, MSU also confers a wide range of agriculture, education, and psychology degrees, and it houses the state's only college of veterinary medicine.