by our College Data Analytics Team
For student athletes, the right college balances academics with athletics. Our ranking highlights 9 programs for Men’s Football by academic-athletic quality, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluates each program using a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and aid per athlete from the EADA survey), and overall school quality, drawing on NCAA, U.S. Department of Education EADA, and IPEDS data. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Here are the top-ranked colleges for student athletes:
Our analysis found Mississippi State University to be the best college for Men's Football in Mississippi. Located in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. The team's NCAA APR score is 984, with a Graduation Success Rate of 92%. About 69% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. The program generates about $341,596 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $341,596 per participant. The school awards about $24,143 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Mississippi ranked #2 among the best colleges for Men's Football. This public school is set in University, MS. The team's NCAA APR score is 970, and a 86% Graduation Success Rate. About 55% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $719,862, with expenses of about $490,842 per participant. Athletic aid averages $22,457 per athlete.
Millsaps College landed the #3 spot for Men's Football. Located in Jackson, MS, Millsaps College is a private not-for-profit institution. Team revenue averages $5,201 per participant, against $5,201 in expenses. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Jackson State University is one of the top schools for Men's Football, at #4. This public school is set in Jackson, MS. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 961, and a 84% Graduation Success Rate. About 65% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Team revenue averages $24,319 per participant, compared with $24,319 spent per athlete. The school awards about $7,647 in athletic aid per athlete.
University of Southern Mississippi is one of the top schools for Men's Football, at #5. Located in Hattiesburg, MS, University of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. Athletes here earn an NCAA Academic Progress Rate of 933, and a 71% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 48%. The program generates about $97,639 in revenue per athlete, compared with $97,639 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $13,309 per athlete.
Alcorn State University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Alcorn State University is a public school based in Alcorn State, MS. The team's NCAA APR score is 934, and a 83% Graduation Success Rate. Its federal graduation rate is 72%. Team revenue averages $33,520 per participant, compared with $33,520 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $6,599 per athlete.
Belhaven University ranked #7 on our 2026 list for Men's Football. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $9,481, compared with $9,478 spent per athlete. Athletic aid averages $0 per athlete.
Delta State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list for Men's Football. Located in Cleveland, MS, Delta State University is a public institution. The program generates about $13,552 in revenue per athlete, with expenses of about $13,552 per participant. Athletic aid averages $5,421 per athlete.
Mississippi Valley State University landed the #9 spot this year. Located in Itta Bena, MS, Mississippi Valley State University is a public institution. Its student-athletes post an NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) of 894, with a Graduation Success Rate of 63%. About 26% of athletes graduate under the federal rate. Per-participant team revenue is roughly $15,774, with expenses of about $15,774 per participant. The school awards about $4,569 in athletic aid per athlete.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of academic-athletic outcomes (NCAA Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate), athletic financial resources (team revenue, expenses, and athletic aid from the federal EADA survey), and overall school quality. The current methodology measures academic-athletic quality and does not include team win/loss performance.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.