Students at Millsaps College, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, achieve earnings that place the college in the top 30% nationally for economic mobility outcomes.
The college's personalized approach and strong student support translate into successful degree completion and career preparation for graduates across income levels.
Millsaps College is a small private liberal arts institution in Jackson, Mississippi, that emphasizes personalized education and close student-faculty relationships. As a selective liberal arts college, Millsaps serves about 36% Pell Grant recipients and maintains strong graduation rates, particularly for low-income students who complete at 69% within six years. The college's outcomes reflect its mission as a teaching-focused institution rather than a research university, with graduates earning a median of $53,848 ten years after enrollment.
What distinguishes Millsaps is its ability to support student success despite modest absolute earnings levels. Low-income students at Millsaps earn $47,400 ten years out, placing the college in the top 30% nationally for low-income student outcomes. This performance places Millsaps in the "Selective Achievers" mobility category, indicating strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, though with more limited access than larger public institutions.
As a small private college with fewer than 1,000 students, Millsaps offers the intimate academic environment that many families seek in liberal arts education. The college's focus on undergraduate teaching, combined with its location in Mississippi's capital city, provides students with internship opportunities and professional connections that can be valuable for career development, even if absolute earnings levels remain moderate compared to larger research universities.
Millsaps College's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts mission, with Business Administration and Psychology serving as the primary areas of concentration. Business Administration, with 33 graduates, generates the strongest aggregate return among the college's programs, though early-career earnings remain modest at around $34,000. This reflects the college's emphasis on broad-based business education rather than specialized pre-professional training in high-earning fields like finance or consulting.
Psychology, the college's largest major with 23 graduates, produces typical liberal arts outcomes with early-career earnings around $29,685. This field often serves as preparation for graduate school in counseling, social work, or related helping professions, where the real career payoff comes after additional education. The modest early earnings reflect the nature of entry-level positions in psychology-related fields rather than any weakness in the program itself.
As a small liberal arts college, Millsaps focuses on developing critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills across all programs rather than maximizing immediate earning potential. The college's strength lies in preparing students for careers that value liberal arts competencies and for graduate programs where the real professional development occurs. Students should view Millsaps programs as foundation-building rather than direct pathways to high-earning careers immediately after graduation.
Graduates of Millsaps College earn a median of $53,848 ten years after enrollment, which reflects the college's focus on liberal arts education rather than high-earning professional programs. While these earnings are modest compared to large research universities, they represent solid outcomes for a small private liberal arts institution in the South. The college's return on investment centers more on the educational experience and personal development than on maximizing immediate financial returns.
The college's strongest programs in terms of graduate outcomes include Business Administration, which enrolls 33 students and produces the highest aggregate return among Millsaps programs. Psychology, the college's largest major with 23 graduates, leads to median early-career earnings of about $29,685, typical for liberal arts fields that often serve as preparation for graduate school or diverse career paths. These programs reflect Millsaps' traditional liberal arts mission, preparing students for careers that may require additional education or professional development.
Millsaps graduates enter a moderate cost-of-living environment in Mississippi, where earnings can stretch further than in higher-cost regions. The college's small size means graduates benefit from close alumni networks and personalized career guidance, though the overall scale of the alumni network is necessarily limited compared to larger institutions. For students who value the liberal arts experience and close mentorship, Millsaps provides solid preparation for careers that emphasize critical thinking and communication skills.
Affordability at Millsaps College varies significantly by family income, as is typical for private liberal arts institutions. Low-income students pay about $20,651 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $26,671, and high-income families pay approximately $32,686. These net prices place Millsaps in the bottom quartile nationally for affordability, reflecting the higher cost structure of small private colleges compared to public universities.
Debt levels at Millsaps are substantial but manageable for most graduates. Typical federal student loan debt is $27,000, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $28,390. The college maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully despite the higher borrowing levels. This suggests that while costs are high, the college's career services and alumni network help graduates find employment that supports loan repayment.
The college's higher price point reflects its small size and intensive educational model, with low student-to-faculty ratios and extensive support services. For families who can manage the costs, Millsaps offers the personalized attention and close community that many seek in liberal arts education. However, families should carefully consider whether the premium for private education aligns with their financial capacity and educational priorities.
Millsaps College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
