Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Mississippi
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Mississippi6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Mississippi.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Mississippi
University, MS · Public#1 in Mississippi
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 72% graduate
- 2
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS · Public#3 in Mississippi
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 67% graduate
- 3
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS · Public#8 in Mississippi
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 57% graduate
- 4
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS · Public#10 in Mississippi
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 49% graduate
- 5
- 6
Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 27% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi | $13,314 | $20,000 | $50,994 | 72% |
| Mississippi State University | $17,595 | $22,142 | $51,513 | 67% |
| Alcorn State University | $13,265 | $27,000 | $36,421 | 57% |
| University of Southern Mississippi | $21,708 | $22,500 | $44,140 | 49% |
| Jackson State University | $23,836 | $30,470 | $39,060 | 51% |
| Mississippi Valley State University | $9,686 | $28,413 | $31,919 | 27% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4