What are Mississippi State University's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:
- GPA requirements
- Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
- Application requirements
In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Mississippi State University and build a strong application.
School location: Mississippi State, MS
Admissions Rate: 73.4%
If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.
The acceptance rate at Mississippi State University is 73.4%. For every 100 applicants, 73 are admitted.

This means the school islightly selective. The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet Mississippi State University's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.
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Mississippi State University GPA Requirements
Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.
The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.
Average GPA: 3.43
The average GPA at Mississippi State University is 3.43.

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
With a GPA of 3.43, Mississippi State Universityrequires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's. If you have a lower GPA, you can compensate with harder courses like AP or IB classes. This will help boost your weighted GPA and show your ability to take college classes.
If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.43, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.
SAT and ACT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Mississippi State University. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
Mississippi State University SAT Requirements
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.
Average SAT: 1180
The average SAT score composite at Mississippi State University is a 1180 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes Mississippi State University Competitive for SAT test scores.
Mississippi State University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile SAT score is 1030, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1320. In other words, a 1030 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1320 will move you up to above average.
Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
Math | 580 | 510 | 660 |
Reading + Writing | 600 | 520 | 660 |
Composite | 1180 | 1030 | 1320 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.
Mississippi State University ACT Requirements
Just like for the SAT, Mississippi State University likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.
Average ACT: 25
The average ACT score at Mississippi State University is 25. This score makes Mississippi State University Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 21, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 28.
Even though Mississippi State University likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 21 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.
ACT Score Sending Policy
If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.
Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.
This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 21 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.
ACT Superscore Policy
By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.
We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Mississippi State University, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 21.
Studying for the ACT instead? Want to learn how to improve your ACT score by 4 points?
SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.
Mississippi State University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.
We did not find information that Mississippi State University requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.
Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average. Aim for a 1030 SAT or a 21 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.
But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
Admissions Calculator
What are your chances of admission at Mississippi State University?
Chances of admission with these scores:
Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.
Pick your test:SATACT
SAT Score
Your GPA
Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.
How would your chances improve with a better score?
Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?
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- Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts. PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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Application Requirements
Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Mississippi State University here.
Application Requirements Overview
- Common ApplicationNot accepted
- Universal ApplicationNot accepted
- Electronic ApplicationAvailable
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- InterviewNot required
- Application Fee$40
- Fee Waiver Available?Available
- Other Notes
Testing Requirements
- SAT or ACTRequired
- SAT Essay or ACT WritingOptional
- SAT Subject Tests
- Scores Due in OfficeNone
Coursework Requirements
- SubjectRequired Years
- English4
- Math3
- Science3
- Foreign Language1
- Social Studies1
- History2
- Electives1
Deadlines and Early Admissions
- Offered?DeadlineNotification
- Regular Admission
- YesAugust 1Rolling
- Early Action
- No
- Early Decision
- No
Admissions Office Information
- Address:25
Mississippi State, MS 39762 - Phone:(662) 325-2224
- Fax:(662) 325-3299
- Email:[emailprotected]
Other Schools For You
If you're interested in Mississippi State University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Mississippi State University.
Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into
These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Mississippi State University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | 1300 | 30 |
Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | 1275 | 28 |
United States Military Academy | West Point, NY | 1270 | 28 |
Penn State University Park | University Park, PA | 1265 | 28 |
University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | 1265 | 27 |
Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | 1238 | 27 |
Seton Hall University | South Orange, NJ | 1231 | 26 |
Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into
If you're competitive for Mississippi State University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
University of Oregon | Eugene, OR | 1185 | 25 |
University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1184 | 27 |
Colorado State University | Fort Collins, CO | 1180 | 26 |
Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1175 | 26 |
Ohio University | Athens, OH | 1170 | 24 |
University of North Texas | Denton, TX | 1160 | 23 |
University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | 1160 | 23 |
Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into
If you're currently competitive for Mississippi State University, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Mississippi State University is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
Pace University | New York, NY | 1140 | 25 |
Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL | 1135 | 23 |
Washington State University | Pullman, WA | 1125 | 23 |
University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | 1125 | 22 |
East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | 1105 | 22 |
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | 1100 | 22 |
Texas State University | San Marcos, TX | 1095 | 23 |
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
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