Best colleges in Mississippi
Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.
Best colleges in Mississippi16 schools
16 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Mississippi.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 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
- Value grade B+ · Top 24%
- 72% graduate
- 2
- 3
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS · Public#3 in Mississippi
- Value grade B · Top 43%
- 67% graduate
- 4
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS · Private nonprofit#4 in Mississippi
- Value grade B · Top 45%
- 60% graduate
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Rust College
Holly Springs, MS · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low net price
- Value grade C+
- 12% graduate
- 10
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS · Public#10 in Mississippi
- Value grade B-
- 49% graduate
- 11
Blue Mountain Christian University
Blue Mountain, MS · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Value grade C+
- 55% graduate
- 12
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MS · PublicTop 19% for low debt
- Value grade A- · Top 18%
- 47% graduate
- 13
Delta State University
Cleveland, MS · PublicGood: Compass grade B-
- Value grade B · Top 44%
- 48% graduate
- 14
- 15
- 16
Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- Value grade C+
- 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 College | $27,712 | $22,500 | $47,485 | 59% |
| Mississippi State University | $17,595 | $22,142 | $51,513 | 67% |
| William Carey University | $14,258 | $20,832 | $43,087 | 60% |
| Millsaps College | $26,034 | $27,000 | $53,848 | 57% |
| Southeastern Baptist College | $8,138 | — | $26,946 | 80% |
| Belhaven University | $15,676 | $26,333 | $46,440 | 49% |
| Alcorn State University | $13,265 | $27,000 | $36,421 | 57% |
| Rust College | $12,587 | $26,159 | $32,275 | 12% |
| University of Southern Mississippi | $21,708 | $22,500 | $44,140 | 49% |
| Blue Mountain Christian University | $24,016 | $18,534 | $40,421 | 55% |
| Mississippi University for Women | $12,411 | $15,000 | $46,128 | 47% |
| Delta State University | $13,540 | $20,390 | $41,991 | 48% |
| Tougaloo College | $17,043 | $30,046 | $34,724 | 33% |
| 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 26
- Alaska 5
- Arizona 16
- Arkansas 23
- California 128
- Colorado 26
- Connecticut 26
- Delaware 4
- District of Columbia 9
- Florida 61
- Georgia 60
- Hawaii 6
- Idaho 9
- Illinois 57
- Indiana 45
- Iowa 30
- Kansas 27
- Kentucky 29
- Louisiana 24
- Maine 19
- Maryland 26
- Massachusetts 67
- Michigan 44
- Minnesota 40
- Missouri 53
- Montana 10
- Nebraska 19
- Nevada 6
- New Hampshire 13
- New Jersey 36
- New Mexico 11
- New York 135
- North Carolina 55
- North Dakota 9
- Ohio 99
- Oklahoma 23
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 118
- Puerto Rico 52
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 35
- South Dakota 11
- Tennessee 43
- Texas 85
- Utah 16
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 51
- Washington 24
- West Virginia 19
- Wisconsin 36
- Wyoming 3