Best Colleges in Mississippi

Lorraine Mumby
By
Updated on October 7, 2024
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The higher education experts at BestColleges.com reviewed the top 4-year colleges in Mississippi. Start planning your future at BestColleges.com

As Mississippi’s economy grows, more workers are starting careers in the state’s largest employment sectors, including office and administrative support, healthcare, education, and management. These fields, many of which boast well-paying positions and benefits, require applicants to possess education beyond a high school diploma.

Whether you want to earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree, many Mississippi colleges can prepare you for a career in these fields. The following ranking highlights schools with excellent academic programs, valuable support services, and ample extracurricular opportunities. Many of these institutions also award generous financial aid packages and offer flexible online learning options that may appeal to busy professionals and parents.

Even if you do not find a college or university that suits your needs on this ranking, reviewing these schools can help you learn what to look for as you explore other academic opportunities. If you have questions about specific programs or requirements, contact schools directly to learn more.

Best Accredited Colleges in Mississippi

#1 Best Colleges in Mississippi

Mississippi State University

  • Location-markerMississippi State, MS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,248
  • Out-of-state$25,294
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,398
  • Out-of-state$25,444
  • Retention Rate83%
  • Acceptance Rate76%
  • Students Enrolled22,657
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment45%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Colleges in Mississippi

University of Mississippi

  • Location-markerUniversity, MS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,072
  • Out-of-state$26,292
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,072
  • Out-of-state$26,294
  • Retention Rate88%
  • Acceptance Rate98%
  • Students Enrolled24,043
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment59%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Colleges in Mississippi

Millsaps College

  • Location-markerJackson, MS
  • 4 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$40,940
  • Out-of-state$40,940
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$23,568
  • Out-of-state$23,568
  • Retention Rate83%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled661
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment7%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Colleges in Mississippi

Mississippi University for Women

  • Location-markerColumbus, MS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,766
  • Out-of-state$7,766
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,766
  • Out-of-state$7,766
  • Retention Rate73%
  • Acceptance Rate99%
  • Students Enrolled2,339
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment70%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Colleges in Mississippi

Delta State University

  • Location-markerCleveland, MS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,435
  • Out-of-state$8,435
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,435
  • Out-of-state$8,435
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance Rate100%
  • Students Enrolled2,716
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment67%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Colleges in Mississippi

Tougaloo College

  • Location-markerTougaloo, MS
  • 2 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,258
  • Out-of-state$10,258
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,134
  • Out-of-state$10,134
  • Retention Rate60%
  • Acceptance Rate5%
  • Students Enrolled677
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment0%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Colleges in Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi

  • Location-markerHattiesburg, MS
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$9,240
  • Out-of-state$11,256
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$9,340
  • Out-of-state$11,340
  • Retention Rate71%
  • Acceptance Rate99%
  • Students Enrolled13,110
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment77%
  • AccreditationYes

badge-checkHow We Rank Schools

At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.

We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2020. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.

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