Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University (MSU), located in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, traces its origins back to 1878 when it was established as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi. Founded under the Morrill Act, which aimed to establish agricultural colleges funded by grants of federally controlled land, MSU initially focused on providing education in agriculture, horticulture, and mechanical arts, while also offering studies in other scientific and classical disciplines, including military tactics. Over the years, the institution expanded its academic offerings, leading to a name change to Mississippi State College in 1932 and ultimately to Mississippi State University in 1958. Presently, MSU comprises eight colleges across Starkville and satellite campuses in Meridian, Biloxi, and Vicksburg, covering a wide array of fields such as agriculture, architecture, arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, forest resources, and veterinary medicine. Spanning 4,200 acres, the university's grounds include farms, pastures, and woodlands, with the MAFES Plant Science Farm and MAFES Animal Sciences Farm serving as hubs for agricultural research. Additionally, MSU operates off-campus facilities, including 16 branches of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, an off-campus center in Meridian, and the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, both offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Collaborating with the US Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, the engineering college also provides a master of science degree program.