Best Colleges in Mississippi 2026

Mississippi's higher education landscape offers students diverse pathways to academic and career success. The top-ranked institutions demonstrate strong graduation rates, competitive faculty-to-student ratios, and solid post-graduation employment outcomes. Private colleges dominate the upper ranks, with three of the top five spots, while public universities provide excellent value and research opportunities. When evaluating Mississippi schools, students should examine program strength in their intended major, campus resources, and financial aid packages. With 16 qualifying institutions statewide, students can find options ranging from specialized religious education to comprehensive research universities. Location preferences, from rural settings to urban environments, also play a crucial role in selecting the right fit for individual academic goals and career aspirations.

Schools Ranked

$36,659

Avg. Earnings

47.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	Southeastern Baptist College Laurel, Mississippi	100.0%	$26,946		$5,925
2	Mississippi College Clinton, Mississippi	62.8%	$47,485	40.0%	$21,698
3	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	62.9%	$51,513	75.2%	$9,815
4	Alcorn State University Alcorn State, Mississippi	46.2%	$36,421	29.9%	$8,549
5	Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wesson, Mississippi	51.6%	$31,241		$4,000
6	University of Mississippi University, Mississippi	68.5%	$50,994	97.4%	$9,412
7	Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, Mississippi	47.4%	$33,017		$3,950
8	Northwest Mississippi Community College Senatobia, Mississippi	42.3%	$36,396		$3,660
9	Holmes Community College Goodman, Mississippi	45.4%	$32,922		$3,510
10	Itawamba Community College Fulton, Mississippi	45.3%	$32,912		$3,420
11	East Mississippi Community College Scooba, Mississippi	41.8%	$33,772		$3,950
12	Meridian Community College Meridian, Mississippi	44.2%	$31,002		$3,932
13	Belhaven University Jackson, Mississippi	51.1%	$46,440	42.6%	$29,195
14	Southwest Mississippi Community College Summit, Mississippi	40.2%	$33,227		$3,960
15	Hinds Community College Raymond, Mississippi	42.1%	$30,774		$3,825
16	East Central Community College Decatur, Mississippi	39.3%	$32,421		$3,865
17	William Carey University Hattiesburg, Mississippi	40.8%	$43,087	53.6%	$14,685
18	Jones County Junior College Ellisville, Mississippi	35.9%	$33,377		$4,000
19	Pearl River Community College Poplarville, Mississippi	35.3%	$33,019		$3,650
20	Northeast Mississippi Community College Booneville, Mississippi	35.4%	$34,081		$4,770
21	Coahoma Community College Clarksdale, Mississippi	38.2%	$24,289		$3,490
22	Tougaloo College Tougaloo, Mississippi	32.3%	$34,724	49.3%	$11,398
23	Mississippi Delta Community College Moorhead, Mississippi	29.9%	$28,421		$3,540
24	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi	50.6%	$44,140	98.8%	$9,618
25	Millsaps College Jackson, Mississippi	55.5%	$53,848	67.8%	$43,815