Mississippi State University
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$39,260
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$8,487/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.6 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
332%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Mississippi State University's in-state tuition costs $9,815. One year after graduation, alumni earn $41,867. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $43,487, and after ten years, earnings reach $51,513. The median debt for graduates is $22,142.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.53. This indicates that the median debt is about half of the graduates' annual income one year after graduation. With an average annual income of $41,867 and a median debt of $22,142, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the tuition cost, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,815
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,142
Median Earnings (5yr)
$43,487
Graduation Rate
63%
Receive Financial Aid
39%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $39,260 | $47,624 | 543% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | $39,260 | $35,941 | -52% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $39,260 | $44,410 | 379% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $39,260 | $36,664 | -15% |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $39,260 | $86,449 | 2521% |
| Marketing. | $39,260 | $53,459 | 840% |
| Psychology, General. | $39,260 | $37,133 | 9% |
| Biology, General. | $39,260 | $52,302 | 781% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $39,260 | $42,094 | 261% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $39,260 | $63,287 | 1341% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $39,260 | $105,662 | 3500% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $39,260 | $57,506 | 1047% |
Peer Comparison
332%
20yr ROI
344%
20yr ROI
248%
20yr ROI
442%
20yr ROI
374%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.