Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2026

Badge for BEST IN MISSISSIPPI PRIVATE COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Updated:

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Mississippi.

Best Private Colleges in Mississippi in 2026

  1. Mississippi College
  2. Tougaloo College
    +1
  3. Millsaps College
    –1
  4. William Carey University
  5. Belhaven University
  6. Rust College
  7. Blue Mountain College

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.

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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

What is the difference between public and private colleges?

Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

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This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 7 private universities in Mississippi. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Mississippi, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

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Best Private Colleges in Mississippi

  1. #1

    Mississippi College

    Clinton , MS
    #12 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2026 #15 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2026 #1 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $21K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi College

    Cost of Degree: $21,698
    Expenses: $19,667
    Starting Salary: $44,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Mississippi College known for?

    Mississippi College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    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
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Tougaloo College

    Tougaloo , MS
    #9 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #2 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Tougaloo College

    Cost of Degree: $10,735
    Expenses: $13,384
    Starting Salary: $32,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Tougaloo College known for?

    Tougaloo College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Millsaps College

    Jackson , MS
    #22 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #4 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $44K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1244/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Millsaps College

    Cost of Degree: $43,815
    Expenses: $16,652
    Starting Salary: $54,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Millsaps College known for?

    Millsaps College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    William Carey University

    Hattiesburg , MS
    #4 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #6 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #7 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/24

    Career Outlook for degree at William Carey University

    Cost of Degree: $14,685
    Expenses: $16,383
    Starting Salary: $40,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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
    Compare school
  6. #5

    Belhaven University

    Jackson , MS
    #5 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #8 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #8 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $28K

    Acceptance

    43%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Belhaven University

    Cost of Degree: $29,195
    Expenses: $11,050
    Starting Salary: $42,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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
    Compare school
  7. #6

    Rust College

    Holly Springs , MS
    #17 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #6 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #9 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    79%

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    889/17

    Career Outlook for degree at Rust College

    Cost of Degree: $13,840
    Expenses: $9,480
    Starting Salary: $26,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Rust College known for?

    Rust College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Blue Mountain College

    Blue Mountain , MS
    #7 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #8 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2026 #11 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi

    Tuition + fees

    $19K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Blue Mountain College

    Cost of Degree: $19,280
    Expenses: $13,978
    Starting Salary: $29,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    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
    Compare school
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Mississippi’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. Mississippi College
  4. William Carey University
  5. Blue Mountain College

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

This guide highlights the private colleges in Mississippi that stand out in 2026 for academic breadth, student outcomes, and institutional strengths — not simply reputation. You’ll find concise context on what distinguishes each school (program specialties, campus size and culture, and typical career or graduate-school trajectories) plus which types of students tend to thrive there. Use this overview to narrow choices quickly and decide which campuses merit a deeper look based on fit, cost, and academic priorities.

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