Mississippi University for Women: 99.1% Acceptance Rate

99.1%Acceptance

$8,092Tuition

1,593Students

38%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$46,128Earnings

Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Mississippi University for Women

Mississippi University for Women traces its roots back to 1884 as a pioneering institution for women's education. The university became coeducational in 1982 but maintains its commitment to helping students in a close-knit environment. With 1,593 students in Columbus, Mississippi, this public university has produced notable graduates including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eudora Welty and acclaimed playwright Tennessee Williams. The 99.11% acceptance rate reflects the school's open-access mission rather than selectivity.

Students pay an average net price of $13,198 after financial aid, with the same $8,092 tuition rate for both in-state and out-of-state students. Graduates earn a median salary of $46,128 ten years after graduation, while carrying manageable debt loads averaging $15,000. The monthly loan payment of $159 represents a reasonable investment given the employment outcomes. About 42% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the university serves many first-generation and lower-income students.

The student body remains predominantly female at 80.85%, reflecting the university's historical mission. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention in small classes. The 37% six-year graduation rate suggests students face challenges completing their degrees, though the 96.1% employment rate shows strong job placement for graduates.

Academics & Faculty

Mississippi University for Women built its reputation as a historic women's college before opening to all students in 1982. The university maintains a strong focus on nursing, education, and liberal arts programs that reflect its founding mission. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention from professors who know their names. However, the 37.8% six-year graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their degrees despite this supportive environment. The school's nursing program draws students from across the region, while education majors benefit from hands-on experience in local schools. Small class sizes create tight-knit academic communities where professors serve as mentors rather than distant lecturers.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 64.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 37.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 37.8%
Retention Rate: 71.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $46,128
Carnegie Classification: Master's University (Small)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$92,885
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$57,538
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$51,794
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.	Master	$50,893
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.	Master	$41,205
Business/Commerce, General.	Bachelor	$39,369
Accounting and Related Services.	Bachelor	$35,060
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$34,847
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Bachelor	$32,051
Public Health.	Bachelor	$28,816

View all 47 programs →

Campus Life

The campus sits in Columbus, a quiet Mississippi town about 25 miles from the Alabama border and 150 miles from Birmingham. With housing for just 644 students and total enrollment of 1,593, most students commute from nearby areas since 81% come from in-state. The historic brick buildings and oak-lined walkways reflect the school's 1884 founding as the first state-supported women's college in America.

You'll need plenty of sunscreen for Mississippi's humid summers and mild winters where temperatures rarely drop below freezing. The 80.85% female student body creates a close-knit atmosphere where the 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Weekends often center around the small-town charm of Columbus, with students exploring antebellum homes or heading to nearby Starkville for Mississippi State games. The Owls compete in 13 Division III sports with 190 total athletes, though athletic scholarships aren't available. Campus traditions still honor the school's pioneering role in women's education, even as male enrollment slowly grows from the 1982 transition to coeducation.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 644 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1884

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	3	0	0	0
Rape	1	1	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 33°–54°F
July Avg: 70°–93°F
Annual Precipitation: 55.6"
Annual Snowfall: -1,555.1"

Student Demographics

Women make up over 80% of the student body, reflecting the university's heritage as a historic women's college that opened to men in 1982. The campus draws primarily from Mississippi, with 81% of students coming from in-state. This creates a tight-knit community where many students already know each other or have mutual connections. The student body is diverse, with Black students comprising 38% of enrollment. Over 40% receive Pell Grants, indicating the university serves many first-generation college students from working-class families across Mississippi.

Men: 19.2%
Women: 80.9%
White: 57.2%
Black: 38.5%
Hispanic: 1.4%
Asian: 0.8%
In-State Students: 81.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 41.6%

Location

Columbus sits in northeastern Mississippi, about 100 miles southeast of Memphis and 140 miles northwest of Birmingham. The town of roughly 23,000 residents provides a classic small-town Southern setting along the Tombigbee River. With 81% of students coming from in-state, most are already familiar with Mississippi's rural character and slower pace of life. The historic downtown area features antebellum mansions and tree-lined streets that reflect the region's Deep South heritage. Columbus maintains strong ties to its cotton and timber heritage while serving as a regional center for the Golden Triangle area. The campus sits within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. Students considering colleges in Mississippi may also compare Mississippi University for Women with similar schools in the region.

Address: Columbus, Mississippi 39701

Front Campus picture of Mississippi University for Women

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $46,128
Median Earnings (5 years): $59,745
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $33,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 57.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $159/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $15,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Mississippi University for Women?

Mississippi University for Women accepts 99.11% of applicants with an average ACT score of 20. This historic institution maintains an open-access approach to admissions while serving a predominantly female student body of 1,593 students.

How much does Mississippi University for Women cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $13,198, with the same tuition rate of $8,092 for both in-state and out-of-state students. About 42% of students receive financial aid, and graduates typically leave with a median debt of $15,000.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Mississippi University for Women?

The university maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in a small college environment. This close-knit academic setting supports students at an institution known for its strong liberal arts programs and nursing education.

What are the graduation rates at Mississippi University for Women?

The six-year graduation rate is 37.80%, with graduates earning a median salary of $46,128 ten years after graduation. The 96.1% employment rate shows strong job placement despite the modest graduation numbers at this regional public university.

Where is Mississippi University for Women located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Columbus, Mississippi, a small town setting with housing for 644 students. With 81% of the 1,593 students coming from in-state and 13 varsity sports teams competing as the Owls, it maintains a close community feel rooted in Southern tradition.

Is Mississippi University for Women still primarily for women?

Women make up 80.85% of the student body, though the university has been coeducational since 1982. Founded in 1884 as the first state-supported women's college in America, it produced notable alumni like Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty before opening to men.