Best test-optional colleges in Mississippi
Colleges that don't require the SAT or ACT for admission, ranked by Compass Score.
Best test-optional colleges in Mississippi10 schools
10 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Mississippi.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Admission test policy: considered but not required, or neither required nor recommended (federal admissions 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
- SAT or ACT not required
- 72% graduate
- 2
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS · Private nonprofit#2 in Mississippi
- SAT or ACT not required
- 59% graduate
- 3
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS · Public#3 in Mississippi
- SAT or ACT not required
- 67% graduate
- 4
- 5
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS · Private nonprofit#7 in Mississippi
- SAT or ACT not required
- 49% graduate
- 6
Rust College
Holly Springs, MS · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 12% graduate
- 7
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MS · PublicTop 19% for low debt
- SAT or ACT not required
- 47% graduate
- 8
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo, MS · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- SAT or ACT not required
- 33% graduate
- 9
- 10
Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS · PublicTop 14% for low net price
- SAT or ACT not required
- 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% |
| Millsaps College | $26,034 | $27,000 | $53,848 | 57% |
| Belhaven University | $15,676 | $26,333 | $46,440 | 49% |
| Rust College | $12,587 | $26,159 | $32,275 | 12% |
| Mississippi University for Women | $12,411 | $15,000 | $46,128 | 47% |
| 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 23
- Arizona 12
- Arkansas 10
- California 100
- Colorado 16
- Connecticut 18
- Delaware 3
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 35
- Georgia 42
- Hawaii 5
- Idaho 6
- Illinois 56
- Indiana 40
- Iowa 29
- Kansas 24
- Kentucky 25
- Louisiana 21
- Maine 15
- Maryland 25
- Massachusetts 59
- Michigan 40
- Minnesota 35
- Missouri 42
- Montana 7
- Nebraska 14
- Nevada 5
- New Hampshire 11
- New Jersey 33
- New Mexico 5
- New York 125
- North Carolina 54
- North Dakota 7
- Ohio 68
- Oklahoma 14
- Oregon 21
- Pennsylvania 113
- Puerto Rico 32
- Rhode Island 11
- South Carolina 30
- South Dakota 10
- Tennessee 28
- Texas 65
- Utah 8
- Vermont 9
- Virginia 43
- Washington 20
- West Virginia 13
- Wisconsin 34