Skip to content
Close
LOGIN
SEARCH
Apply Now
Apply Now

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, Mississippi

23,150 Students on Campus
Mississippi State Location
24,360 Metro Population
23,150 Students on Campus
Mississippi State Location
24,360 Metro Population

About This Campus

Mississippi State University (MSU), a leading R1 research institution in Starkville, Mississippi, combines academic excellence with a vibrant campus life. As a land-grant university, MSU is nationally recognized for programs in engineering, agriculture, business, cybersecurity, geoscience and the humanities. Students enjoy smaller classes, hands-on learning research opportunities, and access to world-class faculty dedicated to innovation and success. Extensive support services—including advising, tutoring, and career development—help students thrive. With over 300 student organizations, leadership programs, service opportunities, and intramural sports, campus life is active and engaging. Cultural events, art exhibits, and guest lectures enrich the experience, while SEC athletic traditions, like cheering for the Bulldogs and ringing cowbells, create unforgettable memories.

One in three of today’s on-air broadcast meteorologists in the U.S. is a graduate of MSU’s nationally recognized meteorology program.

MSU’s massive dairy plant annually produces 369,000 gallons of milk, 25,000 gallons of ice cream, and 300,000 pounds of cheese.

MSU is designated as a Land-, Sea- & Space-Grant institution by the U.S Congress, NOAA & NASA, respectively.

Helpful Information

MSU reserves eight beds - four for women and four for men- within campus housing for NSE students. As all MSU freshmen are required to live on campus, on-campus housing for NSE students is otherwise limited. TA city bus system operates throughout Starkville and campus, but transportation around the town and campus is easier and more convenient with your own vehicle.

Location Information

Mississippi State University is located in Starkville, a college town in the northeast region of the state. The main campus spans over 4,200 acres and is about 25 miles west of Columbus, 175 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee, and 150 miles west of Birmingham, Alabama. It is easily accessible via U.S. Highways 82, 12, and 25 and air travel is available through the Golden Triangle Regional Airport - which is 15 miles from campus. MSU's campus offers students a peaceful environment with ample green spaces, creating an ideal atmosphere for study and recreation.

Starkville is a classic college town that blends small-town charm with vibrant cultural life. In fact, it was voted "Best Small Town" by USA Today in 2024. Known for its Southern hospitality, the city hosts popular events like the Cotton District Arts Festival and Bulldog Bash, an annual music festival organized by MSU students. Downtown Starkville offers a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/19/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/10/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/14/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/13/2026

Summer Start Date: 06/08/2026 - Summer End Date: 08/07/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

PGA Golf Management Program, Physician Assistant, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Communications and Engineering courses have limited seats Art and Interior Design program may require portfolio review Data Science - pass Cal 1 with a C or higher

OTHER ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

2.75 GPA

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Business Administration — The BBA in Business Administration degree gives students the flexibility to gain general knowledge of various aspects of the business world. This is the most popular and most flexible program our College of Business offers. This major teaches students the universal functions of business, such as planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling, and budgeting - as well as how to organize these resources efficiently.
  • Kinesiology — The Department of Kinesiology offers 6 BS degree concentrations: Clinical Exercise Physiology, Neuromechanics, Strength and Conditioning, Physical Education and Coaching, Physical Activity and Coaching, and Sports Administration - all taught in a new world renown new facility.
  • Mechanical Engineering — Mechanical Engineering is the application of science and mathematics to the design, development, and operation of mechanical and energy systems. Since the range of applications is so broad, virtually all industries employ mechanical engineers in various capacities. Some of the major areas for employment are the manufacturing, chemical, paper, aerospace, utility, construction, transportation, petroleum, electronics, and computer industries.
  • Professional Meteorology — This program focuses on the study of atmospheric processes and climatic variability. Upon completion of the program (operational emphasis), students will have met the coursework requirements for the National Weather Service, the private meteorology sector, or continue their education in graduate school. Students choosing the program with the broadcast emphasis can also work for the National Weather Service and also earn the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
  • Summer Exchange: Summer Only Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Home Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?Home
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? - J1 Visa

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/19/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Not Available
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 16
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Textbook Rental
$0
Term
Home
Optional
Bike or Scooter Parking fee
$10
Year
Home
Mandatory
Housing processing fee
$100
Year
Home
Mandatory
Parking Fee
$0
Year
Home
Mandatory
Dawg Dollars
$300
Term
Home
Mandatory
Health Insurance
$0
Term
Home
Mandatory
Health Service Fee
$185
Year
Home
Mandatory
College Fee
$0
Term
Home
Mandatory
Honors Program
$75
Term
Home
Mandatory
ID Card
$50
Term
Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

Health Service Fee is an x-ray charge that is required for international students here on a study visa or students from Canadian schools. Bike or Scooter parking fee is mandatory if you plan to use one on campus. College fee- NSE students may be assed additional fees based on the college they are enrolled in. Dawg Dollars are mandatory assessed fee for all students and can be used for meals, laundry in residence halls, and most on-campus vendor purchases. Unused Dawg dollars will be refunded the following semester. Health insurance is required for international students on a study visa or students from Canadian schools; however, waivers are sometimes granted after review of insurance plan. Honor's Program fee is mandatory for students in our Honor's program. Parking is charged per year regardless of if you are only here one semester but is only mandatory if you bring a car to campus. Parking price varies depending on which lot you select. Textbook Rental fees only apply if you rent books from our bookstore. Your first ID card is free, if you lose the first card, then you will pay a mandatory $50 replacement fee. College fee- NSE students may be assed additional fees based on the college they are enrolled in.

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/09/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 4
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $3624
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

All incoming freshmen are required to live on campus. You may be paired with a freshmen student. Cost for residence halls start at $2776.00 to $5260. We reserve 4 beds for females and 4 beds for males. We do have limited single occupancy rooms available.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? No
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $0
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

Meal plans vary from $370 to $2,229.00 depending on plan. Meal plans differ from Dawg Dollars. Meal plans are not required but Dawg Dollars are required.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: