MSU makes Money’s Best Colleges in America list
Contact: Harriet Laird
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University is in Money’s recently released list of the 2025 Best Colleges in America.
MSU is one of 732 four-year U.S. public and private nonprofit institutions making this year’s list after the national financial news outlet analyzed a pool of 2,400 schools.
Education quality, affordability and student outcomes were the indicators used for the star-system ratings, which included almost two dozen data points such as acceptance rates, estimated full price for the 2025-26 academic year, estimated net price after average aid, graduation rates and alumni salaries.
MSU’s Naron Remillard, director of student recruitment and marketing, said the university is “the total package for families.”
“This recognition shows we’re assisting prospective students and families looking for their best financial fit, while providing a big SEC school experience with a small school feel. MSU is a great option for students in terms of size, student involvement opportunities, career outcomes and affordability.”
For graduates, MSU is showing exceptionally strong career success rates for those gaining employment soon after earning their degrees. In fact, the First Destination Survey in March revealed the institution’s successful career outcomes rate exceeds the national average.
Based on 2023-24 data, the success rate for MSU graduates within six months is 95%, representing alumni respondents who reported being employed full or part time, enrolled in a continuing education program like graduate school, participating in a service program, or serving in the U.S. military.