MSU Bulldogs vs Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU)
Mississippi State University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, both public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Mississippi State, located in Starkville, Mississippi, boasts a higher acceptance rate (73%) compared to Southern Illinois' 68%. With a larger student body, Mississippi State offers a wider range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like engineering, business, and agriculture. Southern Illinois, situated in Carbondale, Illinois, excels in liberal arts and sciences, with notable programs in psychology, sociology, and criminal justice. While Mississippi State's student body is predominantly White (74%), Southern Illinois' student population is more diverse, with a higher percentage of African American and Hispanic students. Both universities offer competitive graduation rates, with Mississippi State at 68% and Southern Illinois at 63%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions and determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Mississippi State University |
![]() Southern Illinois University-Carbondale |
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Overview |
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Location | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Carbondale, Illinois |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 81.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 76.1% | 95.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$65
|
SAT range | 1030 - 1280 | 930 - 1160 |
ACT range | 21 - 30 | 20 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 91.0% | 18.0% |
Total number of applicants | 17,707 | 6,987 |
Total number of admissions given out | 13,478 | 6,648 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,388 | 1,422 |
Yield rate | 25.1% | 21.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$26,460
Out of state:
$42,140
|
$29,903 |
Average net price | $16,175 | $15,976 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,110
Out of state:
$24,790
|
$9,638 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,612
Meal plan:
$4,200
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,292
Meal plan:
$4,330
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $12,948 |
91.0%
Average amount $13,301 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $5,388 |
55.0%
Average amount $5,362 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $14,099 |
8.0%
Average amount $12,619 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,584
Men 49.6% Women 50.4% |
8,147
Men 51.4% Women 48.6% |
Graduate students |
4,502
Men 45.3% Women 54.7% |
3,119
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 41.2% | 17.5% |
International students | 3.4% | 7.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,333 | 4,492 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi Tennessee Alabama Georgia Louisiana | Illinois Missouri Indiana Tennessee Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.7% | 45.3% |
Dropout rate | 38.5% | 53.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architecture (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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