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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist
Mississippi State University (MSU) is a state university located in Starkville, Mississippi. Admissions are moderately competitive, with MSU's acceptance rate at approximately 75-76%. The university is a large public university with approximately 18,000–18,300 undergraduate students. Among the most popular majors at MSU are General Business Administration & Management, Kinesiology & Exercise Science, Psychology, and Agricultural and Engineering programs. The six-year graduation rate is roughly 62%, and graduates have median earnings of around USD 51,500 (INR ~41,00,000) ten years after matriculation.
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is a public research university based in Oxford, Mississippi. Admissions are highly accommodating, with Ole Miss's acceptance rate at approximately 97-98%. It is a huge institution with around 19,000 undergraduate students. Registered Nursing, Accounting, Digital Communication & Multimedia, and General Psychology are some of the most sought-after programs at Ole Miss. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 66-68%, and alumni have median earnings of around USD 51,000 (INR ~40,50,000) ten years after joining.
| Mississippi State University | University of Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 601 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1001 QS World University 2026 # 601 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 1001 QS World University 2026 # 467 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 851 QS World University 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 85 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 801 for Medicine by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 173 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 501 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 111 for Law by US News 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -115 PG Programs -53 | UG Programs -65 PG Programs -51 |
| Acceptance Rate | 76.0 % | 98.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6 SAT-1070 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 23944 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 14050 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24630 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 24990 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 24990 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 25664 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | MSU graduates receive an average starting salary of $46,400, which is more than $3,000 higher than the next highest university in the rankings, Mississippi University for Women. The average starting salary for all Mississippi higher education graduates is $40,486. Some of the majors and the average salary are as follows: Exercise Science and Kinesiology: $33,500 Business Administration and Management, General: $43,900 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other: $48,800 Marketing/Marketing Management, General: $43,800 Mechanical Engineering: $69,200 | Some of the majors and the average starting salary are as follows: Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia: $40,300 Accounting: $47,700 Finance, General: $53,000 Curriculum and Instruction: $39,900 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts, Submit English language proficiency scores, Check program requirements | Submit official transcripts, Submit LORs, Submit English language proficiency test scores, Check program specific requirements |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 122 for Business by US News 2025 # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 82 for Business by US News 2025 # 72 for Business by Bloomberg 2024 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 600/800GRE - 320/340IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 84/120 | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -15838 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -24990 |
| application dates | Nov 15, 2024 (Preferred Application Deadline) Jan 15, 2025 (Standard Application Deadline) | Nov 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Apr 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) Jul 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Mississippi State University | University of Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1878 | 1848 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 29:1 | 18:1 |
| Male:Female | 50% Male, 50% Female | 44% Male, 56% Female |
| Location Facts | The main campus of Mississippi State University adjoins the city of Starkville, 25 miles west of Columbus and 120 miles northeast of Jackson. Mississippi State University-Meridian is a regional, upper-division, degree-granting campus of Mississippi State University (MSU). | The University of Mississippi's Oxford campus is partially located in Oxford and partially in University, Mississippi, a census-designated place. The medical school is located at Jackson, Mississippi. |
| Library | The Mitchell Memorial Library is in the heart of the campus, on the eastern side of the Drill Field. The library has a collection of 2,124,341 volumes and 70,331 journals. | The University of Mississippi Libraries include the J.D. Williams Library (main) and the Science Library. The libraries provide access to a rich collection of books, journals, electronic resources, media and unique special collections. Among the most well-known collections are our accountancy, blues music and Faulkner collections; these are used by scholars across the globe. |
| Campus Life | The university’s campus resources range from health services to state-of-the-art facilities to cultural programs and beyond. MSU has over 300 student organizations, including categories ranging from academics and art to music and Greek life, to politics and religion, and many more. MSU offers numerous Intramural Leagues in sports ranging from softball and basketball to racquetball and ultimate frisbee. There are also dozens of sports clubs, including rugby, fencing, bass fishing, cricket, and ballroom dancing. New Maroon Camp is a five-day, four-night student-led retreat that prepares first-year students for the transition to Mississippi State University. MSU offers a wide variety of other programs and activities to keep you moving, help you make new friends, and enhance your college experience. | More than 5,300 students live on campus in thirteen residence halls, two residential colleges, and two apartment complexes. Students are required to live on-campus during their first year. Within residence halls, students designated as community assistants provide information and resolve issues. On-campus dining services Catering at UM and the Rebel Market are the only Certified Green restaurants in the state of Mississippi. The Universtity of Mississippi provides Oxford University Transit, a shuttle system that is free of charge for students, faculty, and staff. In 2019, the university opened a 98,000-square-foot (9,100 m2) recreation center containing a gym, indoor climbing wall, basketball courts, and other services. The Associated Student Body (ASB), which was established in 1917, is the university's student government organization. |
| Hostel | #Off campus (with family) - $5402 #On campus - $9614 #Off campus (not with family) - $9614 | #On campus - $10502 #Off campus (not with family) - $10502 #Off campus (with family) - $4660 |
| Famous Alumni | Van Chancellor, Basketball coach, 4-time WN,BA champion Will Clark, Baseball player, 6-time MLB All-Star Alan Nunnelee, Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 2011-2015 Rafael Palmeiro, Baseball player, | Susan Akin-Lynch, Miss America 1986 Tyji Armstrong, NFL tight end |
| City Life | Starkville, Mississippi is a vibrant city located in Oktibbeha County. It's home to popular attractions like the Mississippi State University Museum and the Starkville Sportsplex, both of which provide visitors with plenty of opportunities to learn about the area's unique history and culture. Shopping enthusiasts can find plenty of local stores to browse through while outdoor adventurers can enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, hiking and biking at nearby parks and recreation areas. With easy access to bustling cities such as Jackson and Tupelo, Starkville makes an ideal destination for visitors seeking an unforgettable experience close to urban amenities. Compared to the rest of the country, Starkville's cost of living is 18.0% lower than the U.S. average. | The University of Mississippi is located in the city of Oxford. This quintessential “college town” sits in the midst of the rolling, tree-covered hills of northern Mississippi. Oxford’s low cost of living, safe and scenic environment, temperate climate, and racial and religious tolerance make for an opportune place to live and study. Although small in size, Oxford and the surrounding region offer a cosmopolitan blend of music, literature, and the arts, along with a relaxed lifestyle. Oxford has long been a haven for artists, inspiring writers as well as dozens of noteworthy musicians, photographers, painters, and journalists. In fact, America’s national newspaper, USA Today, chose Oxford as one of the top six college towns in America, calling it the “New South Arts Mecca”. |
| Weather |
Mississippi State University vs University of Mississippi
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Mississippi State University (MSU), which is in Starkville, Mississippi, is known for its Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Business. It features in the 1001–1200 group in QS World University Rankings 2026 and the 801–1000 group in THE World University Rankings 2025. The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), based in Oxford, Mississippi, is particularly high in Law, Business, Pharmacy, Liberal Arts, and Public Policy. It is placed in the =1200 band in QS 2026 and 801–1000 in THE 2025, placing both universities in comparable world brackets, though MSU is stronger in STEM and Ole Miss stronger in professional programs.
General Information
MSU was established in 1878 as a land-grant institution and currently has a student enrollment of approximately 23,000, with a focus on STEM, agriculture, and applied research in a classic college-town experience. Ole Miss, which was founded in 1848, has a student enrollment of approximately 22,000 and a rich liberal arts and professional education environment complemented by a robust Southern culture. MSU is research- and STEM-oriented, whereas Ole Miss is recognized for law, business, and public affairs.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
MSU has an acceptance rate of roughly 76%, welcoming students with average GPAs of 3.5 and ACT scores between 21–27. Ole Miss has an almost identical acceptance rate of around 89%, with average GPAs of 3.5 and ACT scores between 21–29. Both schools are moderately open, although Ole Miss has slightly more competitive ranges for programs such as law and pharmacy.
Research Impact & Facilities
MSU is an R1 research university, which includes the High Performance Computing Collaboratory, a robust agricultural research program, and a nationally ranked College of Veterinary Medicine. Ole Miss is also an R1 institution, renowned for its School of Pharmacy, Center for Intelligence and Security Studies, and research in law, liberal arts, and health sciences. MSU has a competitive advantage in STEM and agriculture, and Ole Miss excels in pharmacy, law, and social sciences.
Cost & Financial Assistance
MSU costs around $9,800 per year for in-state students and $26,000 for out-of-state/international students. Ole Miss also costs around $9,700 for in-state students and $26,500 for out-of-state/international students. Both institutions provide scholarships and assistantships, with a focus on STEM funding at MSU and high-level scholarships in law, pharmacy, and public policy at Ole Miss.
Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes
MSU graduates are typically found in the fields of engineering, agriculture, business, and government, with average mid-career incomes of approximately $85,000 (INR 70 lakh). Ole Miss graduates shine in law, pharmacy, business, and public affairs, with mid-career average incomes at about $88,000 (INR 72 lakh). MSU has close industry connections in the areas of STEM and agriculture, whereas Ole Miss graduates are well represented in the fields of law, politics, healthcare, and business leadership.
