by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Mississippi, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **11** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated 11 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.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Our analysis found University Of Mississippi Main Campus to be the best college in Mississippi. This public school is set in University, MS. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,876. University Of Mississippi Main Campus students take on a median of $22,444 in debt.
Mississippi State University came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Mississippi. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $47,383. Graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Mississippi University For Women, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Columbus, MS. Mississippi University For Women graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Mississippi University For Women graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,756. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at University Of Southern Mississippi earned it the #4 place in Mississippi. This public school is set in Hattiesburg, MS. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,338. Typical student debt is $25,415.
Mississippi College came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Mississippi. Located in Clinton, MS, Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Early-career graduates earn a median of $47,611. Graduates carry a median of $25,510 in student loans.
William Carey University landed the #6 spot in Mississippi this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hattiesburg, MS. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. Median early-career earnings reach $46,292. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete a degree here.
Millsaps College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,680. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. The median student debt is $27,000.
Delta State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Cleveland, MS, Delta State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,605. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,580. Typical student debt is $23,432.
Belhaven University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Jackson, MS, Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit institution. Belhaven University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $30,250 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,485. Students borrow a median of $34,181 to complete a degree here.
Blue Mountain College placed #10 among the best colleges in Mississippi. Blue Mountain College is a private not-for-profit school based in Blue Mountain, MS. Blue Mountain College posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,180. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $36,823. Typical student debt is $22,542.
Alcorn State University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Alcorn State, MS, Alcorn State University is a public institution. Alcorn State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,785. Early-career graduates earn a median of $37,028. Typical student debt is $29,674.
Jackson State University landed the #12 spot in Mississippi this year. Jackson State University is a public school based in Jackson, MS. Jackson State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,965, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Median early-career earnings reach $38,593. The median student debt is $32,944.
Mississippi Valley State University placed #13 among the best colleges in Mississippi. Based in Itta Bena, MS, Mississippi Valley State University is a public institution. Mississippi Valley State University graduates 27% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,692.
Strayer University Mississippi landed the #14 spot in Mississippi this year. Set in Jackson, MS, Strayer University Mississippi is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,506 early in their careers. Strayer University Mississippi students take on a median of $47,631 in debt.
Rust College landed the #15 spot in Mississippi this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Holly Springs, MS. Rust College posts a six-year graduation rate of 12%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,265. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,913 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,167 to complete a degree here.
Tougaloo College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Tougaloo, MS, Tougaloo College is a private not-for-profit institution. Tougaloo College graduates 33% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,407. Tougaloo College students take on a median of $42,875 in debt.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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
See our data sources and methodologies.