Mississippi Valley State University
Mississippi Valley State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Mississippi Valley State University Worth It?
At a value score of 20/100, Mississippi Valley State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $31,919 — 41% below average — while paying $9,686/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 24% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 92% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
With median debt of $28,413 representing 89% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Mississippi Valley State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Mississippi Valley State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #36 of 45 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #4 | Northern Marianas College | 100 | $2,789 | $27,836 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #36 | Mississippi Valley State University | 20 | $9,686 | $31,919 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Mississippi Valley State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Mississippi Valley State University
The highest-earning program at Mississippi Valley State University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $24,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Social Work at $11,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Mississippi Valley State University earns $24,600, while a Social Work graduate earns $11,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $29,750 in median debt vs. $35,468 for Social Work.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,686/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $24,600 | $24,600 | $29,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $22,200 | $22,200 | $31,373 |
| Social Work | $11,600 | $11,600 | $35,468 |
Similar Colleges in MS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Itta Bena, MS
- Student Body
- 1,439 students
- Admission Rate
- 92%
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,686
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $31,919
- Median Student Debt
- $28,413