by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Mississippi Main Campus ranks #1 of 17 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Mississippi ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 17 colleges average a 47% six-year graduation rate and $55,539 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Mississippi, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **17** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 17 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus leads the 17 ranked colleges in Mississippi, followed by Mississippi State University (#2) and Mississippi University For Women (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is University Of Mississippi Main Campus, our #1 college in Mississippi. This public school is set in University, MS. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,876. Graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Mississippi State University, which ranked #2 this year. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. Mississippi State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,383. Graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Mississippi University For Women earned it the #3 place in Mississippi. Located in Columbus, MS, Mississippi University For Women is a public institution. Mississippi University For Women graduates 47% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. Mississippi University For Women graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,756. Mississippi University For Women students take on a median of $24,509 in debt.
The strong outcomes at University Of Southern Mississippi earned it the #4 place in Mississippi. Located in Hattiesburg, MS, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Mississippi College, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Clinton, MS, Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,611 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $25,510.
Millsaps College placed #6 among the best colleges in Mississippi. Based in Jackson, MS, Millsaps College is a private not-for-profit institution. Millsaps College graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $44,680 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,765. Typical student debt is $27,000.
William Carey University landed the #7 spot in Mississippi this year. William Carey University is a private not-for-profit school based in Hattiesburg, MS. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,292. Graduates carry a median of $25,079 in student loans.
Delta State University did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Cleveland, MS. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. Delta State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $41,580. The median student debt is $23,432.
Belhaven University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Belhaven University graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,485. Belhaven University students take on a median of $34,181 in debt.
Blue Mountain College landed the #10 spot in Mississippi this year. Based in Blue Mountain, MS, Blue Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,180. Early-career graduates earn a median of $36,823. Graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans.
Alcorn State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Alcorn State University is a public school based in Alcorn State, MS. Alcorn State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Alcorn State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $37,028. The median student debt is $29,674.
Jackson State University landed the #12 spot in Mississippi this year. This public school is set in Jackson, MS. Jackson State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,965, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $38,593. The median student debt is $32,944.
Strayer University Mississippi landed the #13 spot in Mississippi this year. This private for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,506. The median student debt is $47,631.
Mississippi Valley State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Itta Bena, MS, Mississippi Valley State University is a public institution. Mississippi Valley State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 27%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,692.
Tougaloo College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Tougaloo, MS, Tougaloo College is a private not-for-profit institution. Tougaloo College posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. Students from in state pay about $12,407 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $42,875 to complete a degree here.
Rust College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Holly Springs, MS, Rust College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 12% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,265. Median early-career earnings reach $25,913. Rust College students take on a median of $29,167 in debt.
Southeastern Baptist College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Laurel, MS, Southeastern Baptist College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 17% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,425.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.