by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you’re seeking a diverse and multi-faceted college experience, you’ve come to the right place. This list highlights 51 schools by economic diversity in Mississippi, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). To help you decide, College Factual evaluated 51 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal mix depends on what matters most to you. Drill down by location, or explore the overall, racial-ethnic, gender, economic, and age diversity rankings, or other rankings below.
Want to compare schools head to head? We built a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Leading the list is Blue Mountain Christian University, our #1 most economically diverse college in Mississippi. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 49.2, with a gender-diversity score of 99.1.
You'll find a welcoming community at Mississippi University for Women, which ranked #2 this year. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 43.3, with a gender-diversity score of 74.3.
You'll find a welcoming community at Delta State University, which ranked #3 this year. It scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 52.4, with a gender-diversity score of 94.7.
Jones County Junior College earned the #4 place in Mississippi. On economic diversity, it scores 100.0 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 43.6, with a gender-diversity score of 95.7.
Meridian Community College earned the #5 place in Mississippi. Meridian Community College scores 100.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 47.6, alongside a 87.1 gender-diversity score.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. The school's economic diversity score is 100.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 61.7, and gender diversity 95.4.
Chris Beauty College placed #7 among the most economically diverse colleges in Mississippi. Chris Beauty College scores 99.9 out of 100 for economic diversity. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 40.2, and gender diversity 81.3.
Belhaven University landed the #8 spot in Mississippi this year. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 65.9, and gender diversity 94.7.
Corinth Academy of Cosmetology landed the #9 spot in Mississippi this year. On economic diversity, it scores 99.9 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 42.3, alongside a 13.9 gender-diversity score.
University of Southern Mississippi ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. On economic diversity, it scores 99.7 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 56.3, and gender diversity 94.3.
William Carey University earned the #11 position in Mississippi. On economic diversity, it scores 99.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 52.6, with a gender-diversity score of 91.2.
Holmes Community College placed #12 among the most economically diverse colleges in Mississippi. On economic diversity, it scores 99.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 44.3, and gender diversity 89.9.
Southeastern Baptist College earned the #13 position in Mississippi. The school's economic diversity score is 99.3 out of 100.
East Mississippi Community College earned the #14 position in Mississippi. It scores 99.0 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 49.0, alongside a 97.7 gender-diversity score.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #15 among the most economically diverse colleges in Mississippi. On economic diversity, it scores 99.0 out of 100. Racial-ethnic diversity scores 49.1, with a gender-diversity score of 95.2.
Itawamba Community College placed #16 among the most economically diverse colleges in Mississippi. On economic diversity, it scores 98.6 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 42.1, with a gender-diversity score of 94.3.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College landed the #17 spot in Mississippi this year. Copiah-Lincoln Community College scores 97.7 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 45.1, with a gender-diversity score of 96.2.
Mississippi College of Beauty Culture ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. It scores 97.1 out of 100 for economic diversity.
Vaughn Beauty College landed the #19 spot in Mississippi this year. Vaughn Beauty College scores 97.1 out of 100 for economic diversity.
East Central Community College landed the #20 spot in Mississippi this year. The school's economic diversity score is 96.5 out of 100. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.7, with a gender-diversity score of 97.2.
Pearl River Community College earned the #21 position in Mississippi. It scores 96.5 out of 100 for economic diversity. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 41.5, and gender diversity 91.8.
Millsaps College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Millsaps College scores 95.8 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 59.8, and gender diversity 99.7.
Mississippi Delta Community College placed #23 among the most economically diverse colleges in Mississippi. On economic diversity, it scores 95.8 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 38.3, with a gender-diversity score of 96.1.
Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics Nails & Cosmetology placed #24 among the most economically diverse colleges in Mississippi. The school's economic diversity score is 94.3 out of 100. Its racial-ethnic diversity score is 22.1, and gender diversity 0.0.
Tougaloo College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the most economically diverse colleges. Tougaloo College scores 93.4 out of 100 for economic diversity. On racial-ethnic diversity it scores 21.6, and gender diversity 96.9.
These colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the economic backgrounds of the student body (the mix of income levels). The racial-ethnic minorities percentage is calculated by taking the total number of students, subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity is unknown, and dividing by total enrollment.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
