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Delta State University

#1293 in US ranking Cleveland, MS
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$22,372
Tuition & fees
$8,605
Avg. aid
$8,884
Receiving aid
97%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
100%
SAT range
925–1210
ACT range
17–23

Outcomes

Graduation rate
48%
Median salary
$39,014
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Delta State University?

Delta State University is a public university in Cleveland, Mississippi, founded to prepare teachers for the Mississippi Delta. Established as Delta State Teachers College in 1924, it opened to students in 1925. Its original purpose helps explain why education remains a significant part of its academic identity.

The institution later became Delta State College and, in 1974, Delta State University as its programs expanded beyond teacher preparation. Today it offers undergraduate and graduate study in fields including business, nursing, aviation, the arts and sciences, and education. Its development reflects a shift from a regional teachers college to a university serving students with a wider range of professional and academic goals.

What are the faculties and departments at Delta State University?

Delta State organizes its academic programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Aviation, College of Education and Human Sciences, and School of Nursing. Students can pursue bachelor's and graduate credentials; the available degree and delivery options depend on the program.

The academic range includes teacher education, biology, social work, business, aviation, music, and nursing. That breadth matters for applicants who want to compare programs within one institution, but the requirements can differ substantially. Nursing, aviation, and educator-preparation students, for example, should review their intended program's separate admission, progression, clinical, flight-training, or licensure requirements rather than relying only on general university admission criteria.

What is the location of Delta State University?

Delta State University's main campus is in Cleveland, a small city in the Mississippi Delta. The setting offers a different daily experience from a large metropolitan campus: students should consider how they will get to classes, placements, jobs, and off-campus services.

Cleveland's connection to Delta music and regional history is reflected in local cultural institutions and university programming. Students coming from farther away should plan transportation before enrolling. Mid Delta Regional Airport near Greenville is a regional air-travel option, but flight availability and ground transportation require checking; a personal vehicle may be useful for some off-campus commitments. Applicants considering an online program should confirm whether any required classes, clinical work, or other activities must take place in Cleveland or elsewhere.

What is the mission and vision of Delta State University?

Delta State describes its mission in terms of teaching, learning, scholarship, and service, with a particular commitment to the Mississippi Delta and the wider region. Its stated purpose encompasses both liberal-arts learning and preparation for professional work.

That regional focus is relevant to students interested in fields such as education, health care, business, and the arts. It describes the university's priorities, not an assurance that every program offers the same community-based experiences or employment opportunities. Prospective students can assess the mission most concretely by examining the curriculum, required fieldwork, and student support available in their intended major.

Delta State University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Delta State University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

Town: Remote

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

School type

University

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1924

Delta State University Accreditation

Delta State University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Delta State University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconCertificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - research/scholarship
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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