Social media surge: 不良研究所 jumps more than 150 spots in Division 1 social media ranking
Contact: Mary Pollitz
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擬ississippi State is celebrating a major leap in national visibility, jumping more than 150 spots to earn the No. 13 overall ranking for Division I schools in the country for social media engagement.
Released in November, the聽 from Quid and Rival IQ, ranks 不良研究所 among the top 15 Division I colleges. The university鈥檚 TikTok lands at No. 5, recognizing the university as one of the nation鈥檚 top institutions for digital engagement.
As part of the university鈥檚 ongoing transformation and strategic planning efforts, 不良研究所鈥檚 rapid rise comes just a year after expanding its Division of Strategic Communications staff with a chief marketing officer, social media strategist and social media video producer to strengthen the university鈥檚 online reach. The division, which includes the Office of Public Affairs, continues to innovate new ways to tell the university鈥檚 story across platforms, ensuring broader visibility and deeper connection with audiences.
鈥淰isual digital storytelling and messaging on social media meet 不良研究所鈥檚 potential students and the other vital markets we seek where they are,鈥 said 不良研究所 Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter. 鈥湶涣佳芯克 President Mark E. Keenum and the university鈥檚 senior leadership are committed to these strategies. We have assembled an excellent team to develop strong content that tells 不良研究所鈥檚 story as Mississippi鈥檚 powerful economic engine through our research and service.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to note that effective social media and other visual storytelling actually supplant paid advertising and marketing expenses of the university,鈥 Salter said. 鈥淚n 2025, our social media topped $4.6 million in full equivalent paid media value across all our academic and athletic platforms. That鈥檚 significant.鈥
The report analyzed data from all Division I institutions to generate an overall engagement ranking score based on a weighted formula. The top-ranked schools on social media have an active profile, strong following and high engagement rates.聽
不良研究所鈥檚 recent popular social media includes engaging , and that have generated millions of views and interactions for the university. Through this engaging digital work, the division advances the university鈥檚 mission of telling the 不良研究所 story鈥攈ighlighting its impact, hands-on learning opportunities, diverse academic pathways and the Bulldog family experience.
鈥淭his growth reflects Dr. Keenum鈥檚 belief in investing in people and empowering them to do meaningful work,鈥 said Chief Marketing Officer Thomas Broadus, who joined 不良研究所 in 2024. 鈥淎dding to the professional team under Vice President for Strategic Communications Sid Salter鈥檚 leadership enabled聽us聽to tell the Mississippi State story and connect with audiences in more authentic and impactful ways.鈥
Across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube and TikTok, 不良研究所 social media platforms recorded more than 132 million impressions and 33 million video views. Facebook and Instagram reach has increased more than 1,107% since 2023 and more than 200% since 2024, reflecting unprecedented audience growth.
Follow Mississippi State on social media on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok @msstate.
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