Mississippi State University is the largest university and flagship research institution in Mississippi. Its predecessor was Mississippi College of Agriculture and Machinery.

It was established by the Mississippi legislature on February 28th, 1878, to meet the training needs of agronomy, horticulture and mechanical arts. 1932, the legislature renamed it Mississippi state college, including agronomy experiment center (1887), engineering college (1902), agronomy college (1903) and industrial teaching college (1909).

1958, the legislature renamed it Mississippi state university again. The postgraduate office was established in 1936, and the doctoral degree was awarded in 195 1. The College of Forest Resources was established in 1954, and the College of Arts and Sciences was established in 1956. 1973, the first student was admitted to the School of Architecture. Veterinary College started in 1977. Accounting Institute was established in 1979.