Top 10 Universities in Mississippi to Check Out Now! (Ranked & Reviewed)

Nicknamed the Magnolia State in honor of the magnolia trees, Mississippi is home to many talented musicians and the state where American blues music was born.

It is famous for its catfish farming industry and is an agricultural powerhouse due to its fertile soil.

According to significant reports, we have curated the following list of top universities in Mississippi for students pursuing higher studies in this state.

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The University of Southern Mississippi

Formerly known as Mississippi Normal College, founded on March 30, 1910, it was a teacher training school.

After authorizing the doctorate programs in 1959, Southern Mississippi was officially granted its university status in 1962.

The university offers its students 189 programs, including undergraduate programs, graduate programs, and online learning options.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$25,280
In-State Tuition	$9,094
Other Fees	$110
Room and Board	$10,950
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,726
Books and Supplies	$1,400
Non-Resident Total Budget	$27,280
Out-of-State Tuition	$11,094
Other Fees	$110
Room and Board	$10,950
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,726
Books and Supplies	$1,400

Support is provided to international students of USM alongside international student organizations.

Federal financial aid programs such as work-study programs are available. The athletes of the university are known as Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Mississippi Valley State University

Established in 1946, the initial goal of the Institution was to provide vocational training. In light of the expanding mission and programs offered by the Institution, in 1974, it was officially declared to be Mississippi Valley State University.

The university provides over 175 programs, the most popular being architecture, art and design, business education, etc.

Students of the MVSU family often receive some financial aid, not only in the form of tuition aid but also for books and other living and traveling expenses. There are ten available sports options for women and eight sports for men.

Jackson State University

The Institution was formally established as a school of intellectual improvement of Christian leaders for colored people in 1877.

With the expansion of the programs, Jackson State College was designated the Urban University of the State of Mississippi in 1979.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$21,260
In-State Tuition	$7,048
Other Fees	$20
Room and Board	$8,112
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,680
Books and Supplies	$2,400
Non-Resident Total Budget	$21,260
Out-of-State Tuition	$7,048
Other Fees	$20
Room and Board	$8,112
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,680
Books and Supplies	$2,400

JSU has five colleges and 5 locations with more than 94 bachelor’s and graduate degree programs.

Financial aid is awarded through grants, scholarships, employment, etc., and is provided only to cover the student’s educational costs. The university provides 18 athletic programs.

Belhaven University

The Institution was first introduced in Jackson in 1894, after the merger of McComb Female Institute and the Mississippi Synodical College.

In 2010, Belhaven College was officially renamed Belhaven University to effectively represent the programs’ breadth.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident & Non-Resident Total Budget	$38,425
In-State Tuition	$27,450
Other Fees	$375
Room and Board	$8,950
On-Campus Other Budget	$1,000
Books and Supplies	$650

Belhaven University provides various degrees and majors, including sports management and a bachelor of social work.

Financial aid is available to most students through federal grants and state scholarships. Athletic opportunities for both men and women are available such as volleyball, golf, tennis, etc.

Delta State University

Delta State Teachers College was established on April 9, 1924, by Mississippi Senate Bill 236. The college started functioning with 123 students and a few faculty members on April 15, 1925.

The university provides many courses, including multiple pre-professional courses and undeclared majors.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$21,774
In-State Tuition	$8,190
Other Fees	$170
Room and Board	$8,114
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,800
Books and Supplies	$1,500
Non-Resident Total Budget	$21,774
Out-of-State Tuition	$8,190
Other Fees	$170
Room and Board	$8,114
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,800
Books and Supplies	$1,500

Delta State University awards financial grants to students based on financial needs and academic excellence.

Students with financial aid must conform to Satisfactory Academic Progress stated by the university and its policies. The university offers 13 intercollegiate sports, alongside a swimming and diving program.

Alcorn State University

With efforts to educate the descendants of formerly enslaved Africans, the people in Mississippi founded Alcorn University in 1871.

Being the second-oldest state-supported Institution of Higher Education, it was named in honor of the governor of Mississippi, James L. Alcorn.

The university offers around 17 full-time courses, the most intriguing being an MBA in Gaming and Hospitality Management.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$23,812
In-State Tuition	$7,566
Other Fees	$610
Room and Board	$10,890
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,140
Books and Supplies	$1,606
Non-Resident Total Budget	$23,812
Out-of-State Tuition	$7,566
Other Fees	$610
Room and Board	$10,890
On-Campus Other Budget	$3,140
Books and Supplies	$1,606

Scholarship, grants, and part-time employment are some of how the university offers financial aid.

The university’s athletic department competes in NCAA Division I and has 15 men’s and women’s teams. The athletes are known as Alcorn State Braves and Lady Braves.

Mississippi University for Women

Established in 1884, the university was the first state-supported college for women in America and initially provided quality collegiate education for women paired with practical vocational training.

The Institution became known as Mississippi University for Women in 1974 with the addition of graduate programs and started admitting men in 1982.

Besides online programs, the W offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and 11 graduate programs.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$21,679
In-State Tuition	$7,656
Other Fees	$100
Room and Board	$7,908
On-Campus Other Budget	$4,415
Books and Supplies	$1,600
Non-Resident Total Budget	$21,679
Out-of-State Tuition	$7,656
Other Fees	$100
Room and Board	$7,908
On-Campus Other Budget	$4,415
Books and Supplies	$1,600

Besides scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment, the college also offers military-related benefits such as financial aid.

Several sports opportunities are available for men and women, such as cross country, tennis, softball, soccer, basketball, football, etc.

William Carey University

The Institution laid its roots in Poplarville, Mississippi, and was named Pearl River Boarding School in 1892.

In 2006, after many years of change and growth, the Institution officially became known as William Carey University.

The university offers multiple undergraduate, specialist, master’s, and doctoral programs with the flexibility of online classes.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$29,317
In-State Tuition	$13,050
Other Fees	$1,050
Room and Board	$7,247
On-Campus Other Budget	$6,070
Books and Supplies	$1,900
Non-Resident Total Budget	$29,317
Out-of-State Tuition	$13,050
Other Fees	$1,050
Room and Board	$7,247
On-Campus Other Budget	$6,070
Books and Supplies	$1,900

Student employment, loans, scholarships, and federal and state grants are financial aid forms available to prospective and current students.

Sports such as cross country, soccer, golf, etc., are available for both men and women, alongside co-ed sports such as archery and cheerleading.

Mississippi State University

The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi, established in 1878, was the earliest form of the Institution.

The Institution became known as Mississippi State University through many years of improvement and expansion.

MSU provides bachelorette, master’s, and doctoral degrees in over 175 programs and has eight academic colleges such as Veterinary Medicine, Forest Resources, etc.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$26,460
In-State Tuition	$9,110
Other Fees	$110
Room and Board	$10,630
On-Campus Other Budget	$5,410
Books and Supplies	$1,200
Non-Resident Total Budget	$42,140
Out-of-State Tuition	$24,790
Other Fees	$110
Room and Board	$10,630
On-Campus Other Budget	$5,410
Books and Supplies	$1,200

Their financial aid options include state aid, alternative/private loans, and summer aid. The athletic team, known as the Bulldogs, provides various sports options for men and women.

University of Mississippi

Being Mississippi’s only public Institution for higher education for 23 years, the University of Mississippi was formally founded on February 24, 1844.

The university offers the state’s only organ transplant programs and a level-one trauma care center. The university is also known as Ole Miss. The university offers multiple postgraduate and undergraduate degrees with over 37 specialization programs.

Estimated Budgets
Mississippi Resident Total Budget	$26,956
In-State Tuition	$8,934
Other Fees	$110
Room and Board	$11,142
On-Campus Other Budget	$5,570
Books and Supplies	$1,200
Non-Resident Total Budget	$43,798
Out-of-State Tuition	$25,776
Other Fees	$110
Room and Board	$11,142
On-Campus Other Budget	$5,570
Books and Supplies	$1,200

The university also provides financial aid through grants, loans, etc. The 18 intercollegiate athletic teams compete at NCAA’s Division I.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is the best-ranked university in Mississippi?

The University of Mississippi is one of the highest-ranked universities in Mississippi.

Are universities in Mississippi expensive?

The cost of universities in Mississippi is considered lower than the national average.

What is the average cost of universities in Mississippi?

The average cost of undergraduate tuition is $5,153 for state residents and $12,614 for non-residents.

Is Mississippi safe for non-resident students?

Due to its low violent crime rate, Mississippi is considered a safe place for students and visitors in general.

Which university in Mississippi has the safest campus?

Belhaven University takes the first spot as the safest university campus in Mississippi.