I recently received acceptance for a SC contract seat to both Mississippi State and University of Georgia. I would be paying in-state tuition for both, but UGA is slightly more affordable. I believe IS at Mississippi is ~$29k yearly with 8 semesters today, while UGA is ~$19.8k yearly with 9 semesters total. That's ~$25k less in total for all 4 years at UGA if I am doing the math correctly. I love the idea of 2 years of clinicals at Mississippi, but I know UGA is changing their curriculum for my class, and will be offering 9 weeks of clinicals Fall of third year before going back to courses in the Spring. I am interested in small animal surgery (currently working as a surgical tech in a specialty hospital) vs. possible mixed practice. How do I possibly decide!?
Hey, I'm an SC resident and I was in the same position as you last year! When looking at the math, you have to take a few extra things into consideration. The Mississippi State numbers only give you tuition and fees while UGA gives a much more in-depth list. Here's a better breakdown to help make more sense:
Estimates for the 2022 – 2023 Academic Year
| RESIDENT | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3* | Year 4 |
| Tuition | 17,514 | 17,514 | 26,271 | 17,514 |
| Fees | 1,390 | 1,390 | 2,085 | 1,390 |
| Room | 8,710 | 8,710 | 13,005 | 8,710 |
| Board | 4,036 | 4,036 | 6,054 | 4,036 |
| Books & Supplies | 190 | 190 | 285 | 190 |
| Transportation | 1,264 | 1,264 | 2,751 | 1,264 |
| Miscellaneous Living Expenses | 3,386 | 3,386 | 5,079 | 3,386 |
| TOTAL | 37,390 | 37,390 | 56,880 | 37,390 |
*3rd year students attend courses/rotations in the fall, spring, and summer (3 semesters)
This totals to
$169,050 for UGA.
| Semester Rate | Annual Rate |
|---|
| Base Tuition | $13,412.31 | $26,824.62 |
| Technology Fee | $37.99 | $75.98 |
| University Fees | $1,134.70 | $2,269.40 |
| Total Charge to Student | $14,585 | $29,170 |
Looking at the difference between Mississippi State and UGA, they only leave out room, board, books and supplies, transport, and miscellaneous living expenses. If you transfer the same estimated numbers from UGA over to the Mississippi State numbers (they should be pretty much the same or a little less for the room and board considering you're living in Starkville, MS and not Athens, GA) then this is more realistic expectation:
| RESIDENT | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
| Tuition | 26,825 | 26,825 | 26,825 | 26,825 |
| Fees (university fees + technology fees) | 2,346 | | 2,346 | 2,346 |
| Room | 8,710 | 8,710 | 13,005 | 8,710 |
| Board | 4,036 | 4,036 | 6,054 | 4,036 |
| Books & Supplies | 190 | 190 | 285 | 190 |
| Transportation | 1,264 | 1,264 | 2,751 | 1,264 |
| Miscellaneous Living Expenses | 3,386 | 3,386 | 5,079 | 3,386 |
| TOTAL | 46,757 | 46,757 | 46,757 | 46,757 |
This totals to
$187,028 for Mississippi State University.
This comes to a difference of
$17,978 in total between the two schools for all four years. Honestly, I do believe that the situation living here in Starkville, MS is much cheaper than Athens, GA and makes the total between the schools basically the same. Since the schools come down so close in price, I would sit down and look at what both schools have to offer and make a pro/con list. I did not make my final decision before visiting both schools, meeting my future classmates/professors, looking at NAVLE pass rates, and then deciding whether I wanted to track or not track in vet school. These helped me narrow down to Mississippi State, but it could be totally different for you which is completely fine! Do what's best for you and congratulations on getting into vet school! Also, feel free to reach out if you have any other questions relating to Mississippi State or being an SC student deciding between the two vet schools
