10 Best Colleges in Mississippi
What’s Covered:
By going to college in Mississippi, you will get to know the state that produced great American writers William Faulker and Eudora Welty, and have the opportunity to see firsthand important sites from the civil rights movement.
For your convenience, we have compiled a list here of the top 10 colleges and universities in the state.
Our Ranking Methodology
When constructing our list of the 10 best colleges in Mississippi, we mainly focused on school quality, outcomes, and return on investment (ROI). We also examined data such as retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance, among many others. Students can see our full rankings here.
Best Colleges in Mississippi
1. Mississippi State University | MSU
Location: Starkville, MS
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Middle 50% SAT: 1030-1280
Middle 50% ACT: 21-30
Undergrad Enrollment: 18,584
Mississippi State has produced 4 of 9 justices currently on the Mississippi Supreme Court, as well as the current quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott. As a member of the Southeastern Conference, football has always been a huge part of the culture as Mississippi State, and the college has nicknames for its rivalries with both the University of Mississippi (The Battle for the Golden Egg, named for the game’s trophy) and the University of Alabama (the 90 Mile Drive, or the Battle for Highway 82, both referring to the commute between the schools).
Learn more about Mississippi State and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Mississippi College
Location: Clinton, MS
Acceptance Rate: 38%
Middle 50% SAT: 1030-1240
Middle 50% ACT: 21-28
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,232
Mississippi College has a history of innovation: it is the oldest college in Mississippi, the second-oldest Baptist college in the country, and the first coeducational American college to grant degrees to women. More recently, Mississippi College prides itself on its low cost of attendance, which is less than $10,000 per semester, and innovation in online learning programs, which connects Clinton to students of all ages and in all locations around the world.
Learn more about Mississippi College and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Millsaps College
Location: Jackson, MS
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Middle 50% SAT: 1050-1260
Middle 50% ACT: 23-29
Undergrad Enrollment: 750
From its founding by Methodists in 1890 to its location in Jackson, one of the most important cities during the civil rights movement, Millsaps is surrounded by history. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the nation’s fourth largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, or become a part of the first Phi Beta Kappa chapter in Mississippi.
Learn more about Millsaps College and what it takes to get accepted.
4. University of Mississippi | Ole Miss
Location: Oxford, MS
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Middle 50% SAT: 1000-1230
Middle 50% ACT: 22-29
Undergrad Enrollment: 19,213
Even a quick glance through a list of notable Ole Miss alumni shows how seriously the Rebels take their football: the school is the alma mater of Eli Manning, his father Archie, and The Blind Side protagonist Michael Oher. Those who aren’t interested in sports can explore the campus where William Faulkner spent four years, and enroll in programs that often aren’t available to undergraduates at other colleges, through the School of Accountancy, School of Journalism, or School of Pharmacy.
Learn more about Ole Miss and what it takes to get accepted.
5. William Carey University
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Middle 50% SAT: 950-1180
Middle 50% ACT: 20-28
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,264
William Carey University, originally Pearl River Boarding School and then Mississippi Women’s College, has shown more endurance than perhaps any college in the country. The school was originally not even a full time university, as courses were offered for younger students as well. After two campuses burning down, a move from Poplarville to Hattiesburg, and a second name change after becoming coeducational, today the university is committed both to its Baptist roots and to embracing the diversity of the modern world, through its 10 specialized schools and colleges.
Learn more about William Carey University and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Southeastern Baptist College
Location: Laurel, MS
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Middle 50% SAT: 980-1160
Middle 50% ACT: 16-17
Undergrad Enrollment: 62
As an accredited Bible college since 1974, Southeastern Baptist structures its education around a core set of Christian principles. While many graduates do go on to become ministers in Mississippi and beyond, Southeastern Baptist also has a School of Business Administration, with a degree program that includes Bible study courses, as well as more traditional business classes such as economics and marketing.
Learn more about Southeastern Baptist College and what it takes to get accepted.
7. University of Southern Mississippi | Southern Miss
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Middle 50% SAT: N/A
Middle 50% ACT: 19-26
Undergrad Enrollment: 11,451
Southern Miss takes such pride in its tradition that, in 2007, the President and Board of Directors of the Alumni Association signed a resolution to protect them. These traditions include the marching band performing “Amazing Grace” after the final home football game, an annual celebration of the school’s founding on March 30th, and a holiday party where students can take pictures with both Santa and Seymour the eagle, the school’s mascot. Southern Miss also takes pride in its 17 Division I sports teams.
Learn more about Southern Miss and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Belhaven University
Location: Jackson, MS
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Middle 50% SAT: 1030-1220
Middle 50% ACT: 22-25
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,128
Since Belhaven is a Christian liberal arts college, students are both taught in accordance with the Bible and encouraged to broaden their horizons. With 70 areas of study, students can pursue whatever they wish. For example, all seniors take a capstone course on how to bring Christian principles into the workplace, and Belhaven is one of just 36 colleges in the country to be nationally accredited in dance, music, theater, and visual art.
Learn more about Belhaven and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Blue Mountain College | BMC
Location: Blue Mountain, MS
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Middle 50% SAT: 880-1180
Middle 50% ACT: 18-23
Undergrad Enrollment: 925
Blue Mountain College was founded in 1873 as a Christian college for women, and although the school began accepting men in 1956, only church-related vocational programs were available to them. While Blue Mountain is now fully coeducational, the college remains committed to creating a community that is united by the Christian faith.
Learn more about Blue Mountain College and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Mississippi University for Women
Location: Columbus, MS
Acceptance Rate: 98%
Middle 50% SAT: 1070-1200
Middle 50% ACT: 18-23
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,505
Mississippi University for Women, or “The W,” is, despite its name, a coeducational university, and prides itself on being accessible to everyone–tuition for a full time undergraduate student is under $4,000 per semester. And if you’re interested in a career in health, The W might be the perfect school for you, as the top 10 most popular majors include nursing, public health education, early childhood development, biology, and psychology.
Learn more about Mississippi University for Women and what it takes to get accepted.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
If you’re wondering how likely you are to be accepted at one of the best schools in Mississippi, check out our chancing engine. We listed each school’s overall acceptance rate above, but your personal chances may be higher or lower depending on your academic and extracurricular profile. You also want to be sure that you’re building a balanced school list, which our chancing engine can help with.
Our chancing engine can also help you build a balanced school list of colleges inside and outside the Magnolia State. By providing your odds of acceptance, you can strategically assign safety, target, and reach schools and put yourself in the best position to get into a college that fits your needs and meets your expectations. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!
