Mississippi State, MS · Private University
Is Mississippi State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$51,513
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,815
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$26,580
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$106,320
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.94x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
62.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,142
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$15,501
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Mississippi State University graduates earn $6,513 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Mississippi State University ranked by graduate earnings
92 graduates
65 graduates
192 graduates
50 graduates
50 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Mississippi State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Mississippi State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $91,204) and the lowest (Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services: $21,243) is $69,961/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $91,204 | 3.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $89,918 | 3.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,449 | 3.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $82,975 | 3.1x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $82,932 | 3.1x |
| Industrial Engineering | $79,859 | 3.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $74,497 | 2.8x |
| Construction Management(1yr data) | $72,712 | 2.7x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $72,529 | 2.7x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $69,213 | 2.6x |
| Engineering, Other(1yr data) | $68,045 | 2.6x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $63,307 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,287 | 2.4x |
| Architecture | $62,697 | 2.4x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $58,009 | 2.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $57,506 | 2.2x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $55,090 | 2.1x |
| Forestry | $54,330 | 2.0x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $53,750 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $53,459 | 2.0x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $53,155 | 2.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,705 | 2.0x |
| Biology, General | $52,302 | 2.0x |
| Animal Sciences | $48,123 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $48,084 | 1.8x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,624 | 1.8x |
| Interior Architecture(1yr data) | $44,811 | 1.7x |
| Plant Sciences | $44,479 | 1.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,410 | 1.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,094 | 1.6x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $41,837 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $41,014 | 1.5x |
| Criminology | $40,797 | 1.5x |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design(1yr data) | $40,786 | 1.5x |
| Social Work | $39,603 | 1.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,888 | 1.4x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $37,191 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $37,133 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,664 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $36,318 | 1.4x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $35,941 | 1.4x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $35,183 | 1.3x |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians | $34,058 | 1.3x |
| History | $33,353 | 1.3x |
| Apparel and Textiles(1yr data) | $31,352 | 1.2x |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $30,496 | 1.1x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $26,836 | 1.0x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesLowest(1yr data) | $21,243 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Mississippi State University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,513 10 years after starting — $6,513 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.4 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.