University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) vs. Mississippi State University (MSU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) or Mississippi State University (MSU)?“
University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC)
Mississippi State University (MSU)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Mississippi State University (MSU). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Mississippi State University (MSU)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Mississippi State University (MSU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) | Mississippi State University (MSU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $11,482 | $7,502 |
| Net Price | $18,555 | $16,035 |
| Average Financial Aid | $2,839 | $8,350 |
| Total Undergraduates | 24941 | 16712 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1110 - 1290 | 960 - 1260 |
| Acceptance Rate | 65 | 65 |
| Location | Columbia-Campus | Lee Boulevard |
| City Name | Columbia | Mississippi State |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Mississippi State University (MSU) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Columbia and Mississippi State. University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is in a South Atlantic and Mississippi State University (MSU) is in a South Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) or Mississippi State University (MSU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Mississippi State University (MSU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) Dorms Compare to housing Options at Mississippi State University (MSU)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) charges for on-campus living, while Mississippi State University (MSU) charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Mississippi State University (MSU) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC), % | Mississippi State University (MSU),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 76.84 | 72.11 |
| Hispanic | 4.41 | 2.46 |
| Black | 9.569999999999999 | 20.200000000000003 |
| Foreign | 1.44 | 1.37 |
| Others | 7.7 | 3.9 |
How different is the University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) campus compared to Mississippi State University (MSU) campus?
The University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) campus is located in Columbia, SC and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000). The Mississippi State University (MSU) campus is located in Mississippi State, MS and is characterized as Town: Remote (in urban cluster more than 35 miles from an urbanized area).
Which school gives more financial aid?
University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) provides $2,839 whereas Mississippi State University (MSU) provides an average of $8,350.
How does University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) academics compare to Mississippi State University (MSU)?
When analyzing academics between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Mississippi State University (MSU) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) | Mississippi State University (MSU) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | 219 |
| Natural resources and conservation | 43 | 88 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | 48 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 15 | N/A |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 349 | 170 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 170 | 43 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 413 | 508 |
| Education | 236 | 261 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | 71 |
Which is better: University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) or Mississippi State University (MSU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) and Mississippi State University (MSU). But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) social life compare to Mississippi State University (MSU)?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how University of South Carolina-Columbia (USC) social life differs from Mississippi State University (MSU).
Check here.
Check here.