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Alcorn State University
About 45 in 100 applicants get into Alcorn State University — solidly within reach for students near the ranges below.
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Alcorn State University anchors the college town of Alcorn State, MS, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, a designation that shapes both its history and its present mission. It carries a land-grant charter — the 1862 mandate that ties it to agricultural and practical education.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $93,159 four years out. Faculty pay averages $86,820 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 2,363 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 76.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 850 and 998 — below the MS middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Alcorn State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Alcorn State University requires SAT or ACT scores from all applicants — the middle 50% ranges below describe Alcorn State University's full admitted class, not a self-selected subset.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 430 | 470 | 495 |
| SAT Math | 420 | 450 | 503 |
| ACT Composite | 15 | 20 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Alcorn State University received 7,511 applications and admitted 1,852 (24.7%), with 505 enrolling.
How Alcorn State University compares
| Alcorn State University | Mississippi median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 45.3% | 77.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,785 | $10,202 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $36,421 | $42,539 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Alcorn State University's median earnings are $36,421 — below the Mississippi benchmark of $42,539. Weigh that against the $8,785 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Alcorn State University prices by residency: $8,785 in-state versus $8,785 out-of-state — a $0 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Alcorn State University enrolls 2,363 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Alcorn State University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
57.4% graduate within six years. Roughly 43% don't — ask a Alcorn State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Alcorn State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $93,159 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $62,499 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,214 |
| Social Work | $46,157 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,321 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $41,908 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $41,403 |
| Biology, General | $40,379 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $39,841 |
| Psychology, General | $35,015 |
Median earnings for these 10 Alcorn State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $36,421 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 22 additional Alcorn State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Alcorn State University?
Among the admitted class, the middle 50% scored 850–998 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 45.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Alcorn State University's acceptance rate?
24.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,852 admitted from 7,511 applicants.
How much does Alcorn State University cost?
In-state tuition is $8,785; out-of-state students pay $8,785. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Alcorn State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $36,421 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Mississippi
- Belhaven University — 49.8% admitted
- Millsaps College — 43.1% admitted
- Rust College — 48.7% admitted
- Tougaloo College — 59.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.