Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024

BEST IN MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Here are the best colleges and universities in Mississippi. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you.

10 Best Colleges in Mississippi

Sort by:
  1. University of Mississippi
  2. Mississippi State University
  3. Jackson State University
  4. University of Southern Mississippi
  5. Tougaloo College
  6. Mississippi College
  7. Alcorn State University
  8. Millsaps College
  9. Mississippi University for Women
  10. Delta State University
  1. Delta State University 100%
  2. Mississippi University for Women 99%
  3. Blue Mountain College 99%
  4. University of Southern Mississippi 96%
  5. University of Mississippi 90%
  6. Mississippi Valley State University 79%
  7. Mississippi State University 76%
  8. Millsaps College 68%
  9. Belhaven University 64%
  10. Jackson State University 62%
  1. University of Southern Mississippi 18 to 1
  2. Blue Mountain College 17 to 1
  3. University of Mississippi 16 to 1
  4. Mississippi State University 16 to 1
  5. Alcorn State University 16 to 1
  6. Mississippi College 15 to 1
  7. Jackson State University 14 to 1
  8. William Carey University 14 to 1
  9. Mississippi Valley State University 13 to 1
  10. Mississippi University for Women 12 to 1
  1. Millsaps College $42,960
  2. Belhaven University $27,825
  3. Mississippi College $20,364
  4. Blue Mountain College $17,380
  5. William Carey University $14,100
  6. Tougaloo College $10,861
  7. Rust College $9,900
  8. Mississippi State University $9,110
  9. University of Southern Mississippi $9,094
  10. University of Mississippi $8,934
  1. Millsaps College $23,568
  2. Mississippi College $12,060
  3. William Carey University $11,875
  4. Blue Mountain College $11,535
  5. Belhaven University $10,530
  6. Tougaloo College $10,134
  7. Mississippi State University $9,110
  8. University of Southern Mississippi $9,094
  9. University of Mississippi $8,938
  10. Jackson State University $8,270
  1. Blue Mountain College
  2. Mississippi Valley State University
  3. William Carey University
  4. Belhaven University
  5. Rust College
  6. Delta State University
  7. Mississippi University for Women
  8. Millsaps College
  9. Alcorn State University
  10. Mississippi College
  1. Rust College 38%
  2. Alcorn State University 39%
  3. Mississippi College 49%
  4. Tougaloo College 56%
  5. William Carey University 57%
  6. Jackson State University 62%
  7. Belhaven University 64%
  8. Millsaps College 68%
  9. Mississippi State University 76%
  10. Mississippi Valley State University 79%
  1. Rust College 6 to 1
  2. Belhaven University 8 to 1
  3. Millsaps College 9 to 1
  4. Tougaloo College 11 to 1
  5. Delta State University 11 to 1
  6. Mississippi University for Women 12 to 1
  7. Mississippi Valley State University 13 to 1
  8. Jackson State University 14 to 1
  9. William Carey University 14 to 1
  10. Mississippi College 15 to 1
  1. Mississippi Valley State University $7,068
  2. Mississippi University for Women $7,756
  3. Alcorn State University $8,176
  4. Jackson State University $8,270
  5. Delta State University $8,360
  6. University of Mississippi $8,934
  7. University of Southern Mississippi $9,094
  8. Mississippi State University $9,110
  9. Rust College $9,900
  10. Tougaloo College $10,861
  1. Mississippi University for Women $7,656
  2. Alcorn State University $7,785
  3. Mississippi Valley State University $7,882
  4. Delta State University $8,190
  5. Jackson State University $8,270
  6. University of Mississippi $8,938
  7. University of Southern Mississippi $9,094
  8. Mississippi State University $9,110
  9. Tougaloo College $10,134
  10. Belhaven University $10,530

Colleges and Universities in Mississippi

The majority of the learning institutes in Mississippi are public schools, with the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, being the largest. This university, located in Oxford, boasts alumni like William Faulkner, John Grisham, and James Meredith. Tuition at Ole Miss runs about $9,000, just below the national average. The eight private colleges, all of which have religious affiliations, range in tuition costs from $10,000 at Rust College to $40,000 at Millsaps College.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Students who attend these schools have the option to pursue degrees in fields like nursing, business, dentistry, Christian ministry, education, and literature. Additionally, all of these private schools are considered small schools, serving under 5,000 students. Mississippi also offers up to $12,000 of undergraduate loan forgiveness, over the course of four years, for teachers who work in designated shortage areas or who teach in critical shortage subjects, like special education or mathematics.

From Mississippi mud pie to fried chicken, Mississippi brings a whole new meaning to the term comfort food. The Magnolia State is easy on the eyes too. With nearly endless forests spilling over with hickory, pine, and oak trees, the intricate river system, and the Gulf Island National Seashore, Mississippi is a true destination for lovers of outdoor adventure. And students who plan on earning their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in Mississippi have 31 colleges and universities to choose from.

Explore some of the top schools and career paths Mississippi has to offer.


What are Mississippi’s Colleges & Universities?

Mississippi’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Mississippi's Best Colleges and Universities Badge
Download Badge

We’ve identified 15 colleges and universities in Mississippi that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Mississippi below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Mississippi.

Back to Top

Best Colleges in Mississippi 2023

  1. #1

    University of Mississippi

    University , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1120/26

  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    13K

    University of Southern Mississippi’s Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Construction Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSBA in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Applied Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Elementary Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Teacher Assistant
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BLS in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Library And Information Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Philosophy
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health
    Degree Concentrations
    • Allied Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Medical Laboratory Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Mlt To Mls
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Child And Family Sciences
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    970/18

    Jackson State University’s Online Degrees

    BST in Technology-Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. #5

    Mississippi College

    Clinton , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/25

    Mississippi College’s Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 130
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Loss Prevention
    • Required Credits: 130
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Homeland Security
    • Required Credits: 130
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Paralegal Studies
    • Required Credits: 130
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Communication
    • Required Credits: 130
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/21

    What is Mississippi University for Women known for?

    Mississippi University for Women’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Mississippi University for Women’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Healthcare Management
    • Human Resource Management
    • Management
    • Management Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Healthcare Management
    • Human Resource Management
    • Legal Administration
    • Management
    • Culinary Management
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Business Administration Management Information Systems
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Early Childhood Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 42
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health Education
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #10

    Alcorn State University

    Alcorn State , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    39%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    880/20

    What is Alcorn State University known for?

    Alcorn State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Alcorn State University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 122-124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Child Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #11

    William Carey University

    Hattiesburg , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1190/23

    What is William Carey University known for?

    William Carey University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    William Carey University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Physical Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health, Physical Education And Recreation
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #12

    Belhaven University

    Jackson , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    What is Belhaven University known for?

    Belhaven University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Belhaven University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Hospitality Management
    • Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Biblical Studies
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Services
    Degree Concentrations
    • Christian Ministries
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: 31
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Health Administration
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  9. #15

    Blue Mountain College

    Blue Mountain , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1040/20

    What is Blue Mountain College known for?

    Blue Mountain College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Blue Mountain College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120-123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
Back to Top

Mississippi’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Tougaloo College
  2. Millsaps College
  3. University of Mississippi
  4. Mississippi University for Women
  5. Mississippi College
  6. Mississippi State University
  7. University of Southern Mississippi
  8. William Carey University
  9. Blue Mountain College

Ask A Question

Are you a student who has questions about this topic? Submit your question below to have one of our expert team members answer it for you! (Questions will be posted with their answers directly to this article, and we'll notify you when yours is answered!)