re: What would be Mississippi State's overall reputation as a university be?

I wouldn't hesitate to send a child there, or go there myself. I have heard numerous people, including my dad and my best friend's dad say the two schools are similar with Auburn being a little bigger. Both offer strong agriculture, vet medicine, engineering, and other hard science programs and State apparently has a great meteorology program.

My friend's dad was a researcher for the USDA, based out of Auburn until late in his career, when they transferred him to State. They lived there a few years and moved back to Auburn when they retired. He spoke very positively about Starkville and State.

In my one trip to watch Auburn and State play, I liked the people I met and had a good time.