Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University is a public land-grant flagship in Starkville, anchored by the historic Drill Field and known for its agriculture, engineering, and veterinary programs. Admission stays accessible: the university admits about 84% of roughly 27,300 applicants and enrolls a class with an average high school GPA near 3.74 and middle-50% ACT scores of 21–29. Business and engineering lead the degrees conferred, and with in-state tuition and fees around $10,600 plus automatic out-of-state tuition scholarships for strong students, MSU draws nearly 45% of its first-years from outside Mississippi.
See how Mississippi State compares
Pick up to two rivals — or search any school.
Mississippi State admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Admissions
Mississippi State does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Mississippi State is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Mississippi State's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 41.64% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Mississippi State does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Mississippi State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Mississippi State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $18,132 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Writing your Mississippi State application essay?
Esslo gives you line-by-line feedback on your Common App and supplemental essays — so your application stands out at Mississippi State and beyond.
Frequently asked questions about Mississippi State admissions
What is Mississippi State's acceptance rate?＋
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.
Is it hard to get into Mississippi State?＋
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.
What GPA do you need to get into Mississippi State?＋
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.
Is a 25 ACT good enough for Mississippi State?＋
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.
Is Mississippi State test-optional?＋
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.
How much does Mississippi State cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
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.
Can out-of-state students afford Mississippi State?＋
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.
What are the most popular majors at Mississippi State?＋
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.
Source: Mississippi State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-25. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Mississippi State. Banner photo by Christopher Holland (conceptDawg), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).