Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in Mississippi offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi
- Millsaps College
- Delta State University
- Mississippi University for Women
- Tougaloo College
- Alcorn State University
- Belhaven University
- Rust College
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Blue Mountain College
- Tougaloo College
- Alcorn State University
- Millsaps College
- Mississippi University for Women
- Delta State University
- Rust College
- Belhaven University
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Blue Mountain College
- Delta State University 99%
- Mississippi University for Women 99%
- Blue Mountain College 96%
- Rust College 79%
- Millsaps College 68%
- Mississippi Valley State University 65%
- Tougaloo College 49%
- Belhaven University 43%
- Alcorn State University 30%
- Alcorn State University 16 to 1
- Blue Mountain College 14 to 1
- Mississippi Valley State University 12 to 1
- Mississippi University for Women 11 to 1
- Delta State University 10 to 1
- Millsaps College 9 to 1
- Tougaloo College 9 to 1
- Belhaven University 9 to 1
- Rust College 8 to 1
- Millsaps College $43,815
- Belhaven University $28,375
- Blue Mountain College $19,280
- Tougaloo College $10,861
- Rust College $9,900
- Delta State University $8,605
- Alcorn State University $8,549
- Mississippi University for Women $7,866
- Mississippi Valley State University $7,414
- Millsaps College $23,568
- Blue Mountain College $12,386
- Belhaven University $10,710
- Tougaloo College $10,134
- Delta State University $8,435
- Alcorn State University $8,174
- Mississippi Valley State University $8,046
- Mississippi University for Women $7,766
- Blue Mountain College
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Rust College
- Belhaven University
- Alcorn State University
- Tougaloo College
- Mississippi University for Women
- Delta State University
- Millsaps College
- Blue Mountain College
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Belhaven University
- Rust College
- Delta State University
- Mississippi University for Women
- Millsaps College
- Alcorn State University
- Tougaloo College
- Alcorn State University 30%
- Belhaven University 43%
- Tougaloo College 49%
- Mississippi Valley State University 65%
- Millsaps College 68%
- Rust College 79%
- Blue Mountain College 96%
- Mississippi University for Women 99%
- Delta State University 99%
- Rust College 8 to 1
- Millsaps College 9 to 1
- Tougaloo College 9 to 1
- Belhaven University 9 to 1
- Delta State University 10 to 1
- Mississippi University for Women 11 to 1
- Mississippi Valley State University 12 to 1
- Blue Mountain College 14 to 1
- Alcorn State University 16 to 1
- Mississippi Valley State University $7,414
- Mississippi University for Women $7,866
- Alcorn State University $8,549
- Delta State University $8,605
- Rust College $9,900
- Tougaloo College $10,861
- Blue Mountain College $19,280
- Belhaven University $28,375
- Millsaps College $43,815
- Mississippi University for Women $7,766
- Mississippi Valley State University $8,046
- Alcorn State University $8,174
- Delta State University $8,435
- Tougaloo College $10,134
- Belhaven University $10,710
- Blue Mountain College $12,386
- Millsaps College $23,568
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?
- 6 Research Universities
- 9 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 8 Graduate Schools
- 8 Public Colleges & Universities
- 7 Private Colleges & Universities
- 7 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 11 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 12 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 15 Community Colleges
- 8 Online Colleges
Mississippi’s Best Overall
Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges
A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 9 liberal arts colleges in Mississippi. To be ranked among the best liberal arts colleges in Mississippi, schools must fully accredited institutions.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2023
- #22 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #2 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
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: $43,760Expenses: $17,210Starting Salary: $54,500Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Millsaps College known for?
Millsaps College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- History
- Sociology
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Religious Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
46%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/20
Career Outlook for degree at Delta State University
Cost of Degree: $8,605Expenses: $13,817Starting Salary: $37,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Delta State University known for?
Delta State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #8 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Mississippi
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
- #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #14 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #17 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #18 Best RN to BSN Online
- #20 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
37%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi University for Women
Cost of Degree: $7,866Expenses: $14,227Starting Salary: $38,900Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #3 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #3 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #5 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
49%
Graduation
31%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Tougaloo College
Cost of Degree: $10,735Expenses: $12,240Starting Salary: $32,400Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Tougaloo College known for?
Tougaloo College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 HBCU Doctoral Programs Online #10 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #21 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #6 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
47%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1009/19
Career Outlook for degree at Alcorn State University
Cost of Degree: $8,549Expenses: $15,195Starting Salary: $35,000Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- #5 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #5 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #8 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Mississippi 2024
- #4 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #7 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
- #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #14 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
- #17 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #19 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024
- #21 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2024
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: $28,375Expenses: $10,750Starting Salary: $42,900Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Belhaven University known for?
Belhaven University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Literature
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Medical
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- History
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
- #5 Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship #6 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #9 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
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: $9,900Expenses: $8,700Starting Salary: $26,600Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Rust College known for?
Rust College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Business
- Literature
- Political Science
- Biology
- Education
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
Most Influential Alumni
- #17 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #8 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #10 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #9 HBCU MBA Programs Online
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
26%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi Valley State University
Cost of Degree: $7,414Expenses: $14,192Starting Salary: $27,200Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mississippi Valley State University known for?
Mississippi Valley State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #7 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #7 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #8 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #11 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
Other Rankings
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: $19,280Expenses: $12,877Starting Salary: $29,200Cost Recoup Time: 17 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Blue Mountain College known for?
Blue Mountain College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Religious Studies
- Medical
- Business
- Communications
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Biology
- History
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
Mississippi’s Best Liberal Arts 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.
Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.