Millsaps College: 67.8% Acceptance Rate

67.8%Acceptance

$43,815Tuition

580Students

56%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$53,848Earnings

#25 in MississippiPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24United Methodist

About Millsaps College

Millsaps College has produced literary giants like Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eudora Welty and bestselling novelist John Grisham. This Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college enrolls just 580 students in midsize Jackson, creating an intimate academic environment. The school built its reputation on strong pre-professional programs that prepare students for graduate school and careers. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students by name rather than ID number. The college accepts 68% of applicants with average SAT scores of 1245.

Students pay an average net price of $25,291 after financial aid, less than the sticker price of $58,675. Graduates earn a median of $53,848 ten years after graduation, while typical student loan debt reaches $27,000. Monthly loan payments average $286, making the investment manageable for most graduates. About 36% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves middle-class families alongside wealthier students.

The student body splits nearly evenly between men and women, with 57% white students and 27% Black students creating meaningful diversity. As NCAA Division III Majors, 330 students compete in 18 varsity sports without athletic scholarships. The 74% retention rate suggests some students struggle with the academic rigor or find better fits elsewhere.

Academics & Faculty

Millsaps stands out as a Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college where small classes define the academic experience. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name and mentor them closely through research projects and internships. This personal attention helps explain why 88.9% of graduates find employment within a year. The college has built a strong reputation for pre-professional programs, particularly pre-med and pre-law, with many students heading to medical and law schools. However, the 56% four-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to finish on time. Business and English programs also draw students, benefiting from the same intimate classroom environment that has produced notable writers like Eudora Welty.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Full-Time Faculty: 75.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 56.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 55.5%
Retention Rate: 73.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $53,848
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$61,516
Accounting and Related Services.	Master	$60,320
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$33,993
Psychology, General.	Bachelor	$29,685

View all 35 programs →

Campus Life

Daily life at Millsaps unfolds on a compact campus in Mississippi's capital city, where 580 students create an intimate academic community. With housing capacity for 819 students, most undergraduates live on campus and form tight-knit residential communities. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and academic goals personally.

Jackson's humid subtropical climate requires both sunscreen and layers - summers reach the 90s while winters dip into the 40s. Students spend weekends exploring Jackson's music venues and restaurants or attending Majors athletic events, with 330 students competing in 18 varsity sports. The Methodist heritage shapes campus culture without overwhelming it, fostering service-minded traditions like the college's annual Halloween on the Lawn community event. Greek life provides social anchors for many students. With 56% of students coming from out of state, the campus buzzes with diverse perspectives despite its small size. Study groups often migrate from the library to local coffee shops downtown, just minutes from campus.

Setting: City-Midsize
Housing Capacity: 819 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1890

Campus Safety (2023)

22 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus
Rape	5	5	0
Burglary	3	3	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	3	0	0
Stalking	2	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 37°–57°F
July Avg: 73°–92°F
Annual Precipitation: 51.3"
Annual Snowfall: 1.0"

Student Demographics

With 580 students and a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, Millsaps attracts students seeking intimate classroom experiences. The student body splits almost evenly between Mississippi residents and out-of-state students, reflecting both strong local ties and growing regional appeal. More than one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the Methodist-affiliated college's commitment to economic accessibility. The diverse racial composition includes significant Black student representation, unusual for many private liberal arts colleges in the South. Students typically score around 1245 on the SAT and choose Millsaps for its well-known pre-professional programs and personalized attention from faculty.

Men: 53.8%
Women: 46.2%
White: 56.9%
Black: 27.2%
Hispanic: 4.3%
Asian: 3.1%
In-State Students: 43.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 35.6%

Location

Millsaps College sits in Jackson, Mississippi's capital city with 594,000 residents in the metro area. The campus lies about 180 miles north of New Orleans and 300 miles south of Memphis. Jackson serves as Mississippi's political and economic center, hosting state government offices and regional corporate headquarters. The city offers urban amenities while maintaining Southern charm, with historic districts, museums, and a growing arts scene. Students can access internships in government, healthcare, and business sectors. The college's midsize city setting provides more opportunities than rural campuses while avoiding the overwhelming scale of major metropolitan areas. Students considering colleges in Mississippi may also compare Millsaps College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Jackson, Mississippi 39210-0001

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $53,848
Median Earnings (5 years): $61,535
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $39,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 74.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Millsaps College?

Millsaps accepts 67.83% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1245. The small liberal arts college in Jackson draws students who value close relationships with professors in a 9:1 student-faculty ratio.

How much does Millsaps College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $25,291, lower than the $58,675 total cost of attendance. About 40% of students receive institutional grants averaging $32,669, making this Methodist-affiliated college more affordable than the sticker price suggests.

What is Millsaps College known for academically?

With only 580 students total, Millsaps specializes in pre-professional programs that benefit from small class sizes. The college has produced notable alumni including Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty and bestselling novelist John Grisham.

What are the graduation rates at Millsaps College?

The four-year graduation rate stands at 56.14%, while graduates earn a median salary of $53,848 ten years after enrollment. About 88.9% of graduates find employment, though the 73.48% retention rate suggests some students transfer before completing their degrees.

Where do Millsaps College students live and what is campus life like?

The campus houses 819 students in Jackson, Mississippi's midsize city setting. With 330 student-athletes competing in 18 NCAA Division III sports, nearly 57% of the student body participates in varsity athletics as the Majors.

Is Millsaps College diverse in its student body?

The student body is 56.90% white and 27.24% Black, reflecting Mississippi's demographics more than many private colleges. About 43% of students come from in-state, while 36% receive Pell Grants, indicating significant economic diversity at this Methodist institution.