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# Best Colleges in Mississippi (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

Best Colleges in Mississippi ranks 15 four-year institutions in Mississippi by Azimuth's overall score for the state. [University of Mississippi](/school/university-of-mississippi/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports median earnings of $66,243 for its graduates four years after completing.

Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Mississippi, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.

The list includes 8 public and 7 private nonprofit schools. Mississippi Valley State University posts the lowest average net price at $9,686, while University of Mississippi ranks 179th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

## The ranked list

15 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Mississippi · University, MS | $66,243 | $13,314 | $8,945 | 96.6% |
|  | [University of Mississippi](/school/university-of-mississippi/majors/) reports [median earnings of $66,243](/school/university-of-mississippi/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. |
| 2 | Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS | $59,311 | $17,595 | $14,332 | 77.6% |
|  | [Mississippi State University](/school/mississippi-state-university/majors/) [admits 78% of applicants](/school/mississippi-state-university/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
| 3 | Mississippi University for Women · Columbus, MS | $62,987 | $12,411 | $10,676 | 90.3% |
|  | An average net price of $12,411 accompanies a six-year completion rate of 47% at Mississippi University for Women. |
| 4 | University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS | $48,593 | $21,708 | $19,867 | 99.1% |
|  | [University of Southern Mississippi](/school/university-of-southern-mississippi/majors/) [graduates 49% of its students within six years](/school/university-of-southern-mississippi/outcomes/), alongside median earnings of $48,593 four years after completing. |
| 5 | Alcorn State University · Alcorn State, MS | $45,495 | $13,265 | $12,613 | 45.3% |
|  | [Alcorn State University](/school/alcorn-state-university/majors/) ranks 5th on this list and reports an [average net price of $12,613](/school/alcorn-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
| 6 | Jackson State University · Jackson, MS | $47,606 | $23,836 | $22,869 | 93.2% |
|  | Jackson State University shows median earnings of $47,606 for its graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 93%. |
| 7 | Millsaps College · Jackson, MS | $67,303 | $26,034 | $24,215 | 43.1% |
|  | Millsaps College, a private nonprofit institution, reports median earnings of $67,303 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 8 | Belhaven University · Jackson, MS | $51,795 | $15,676 | $10,551 | 49.8% |
|  | Belhaven University admits 50% of applicants and carries an average net price of $10,551 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 9 | Rust College · Holly Springs, MS | $41,313 | $12,587 | $12,546 | 48.7% |
|  | Rust College posts a six-year completion rate of 12% and ranks 872nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 10 | William Carey University · Hattiesburg, MS | $54,242 | $14,258 | $12,224 | 60.3% |
|  | William Carey University reports median earnings of $54,242 for its graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $14,258. |
| 11 | Mississippi Valley State University · Itta Bena, MS | $40,972 | $9,686 | $9,073 | 92.4% |
|  | Mississippi Valley State University carries the lowest average net price on the page at $9,686 and graduates 27% of its students within six years. |
| 12 | Mississippi Christian University · Clinton, MS | $55,434 | $27,712 | $25,984 | 29.1% |
|  | With an admission rate of 29%, Mississippi Christian University is the most selective school on the list and reports median earnings of $55,434 four years after completing. |
| 13 | Delta State University · Cleveland, MS | $47,248 | $13,540 | $12,223 | 100.0% |
|  | Delta State University admits 100% of applicants and reports median earnings of $47,248 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 14 | Tougaloo College · Tougaloo, MS | $42,641 | $17,043 | $17,294 | 59.9% |
|  | Tougaloo College, a private nonprofit college in Tougaloo, has an average net price of $17,043 and a six-year completion rate of 33%. |
| 15 | Blue Mountain Christian University · Blue Mountain, MS | $40,841 | $24,016 | $23,112 | 89.0% |
|  | Blue Mountain Christian University ranks 15th on this list and shows an average net price of $23,112 for families earning under $30,000. |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Mississippi, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#composite). The score draws on median earnings of federally aided completers, across all fields, who were working and not enrolled four years after completing, alongside measures of access and affordability. It does not measure fit or teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 15 schools with a reported completion median. University of Mississippi ranks 179th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and Mississippi State University ranks 299th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## Related rankings

-   [Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-in-mississippi/)
-   [Best Colleges for Social Mobility in Mississippi](/rankings/best-colleges-for-social-mobility-in-mississippi/)