Best Universities & Colleges in Mississippi for 2024

These are the 12 top schools, both online and traditional, located in the state of Mississippi. Scroll through the list below and get all the information you need about each institution.

Online Colleges in Mississippi

Compare all of the best distance education colleges located in Mississippi to pursue an online bachelors degree, associates, or online masters program degree. Including cost of tuition, degrees they offer, enrollment rates, faculty, famous alumni, and more.

Recommended Schools

  • Alcorn State University Seal

    Alcorn State University

    Alcorn State, Mississippi

    • 3,518 Total Students
    • 81% Acceptance Rate
    • 26% Enrollment Rate
    • 17 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 3,010 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    A Historically Black and a Public Land grant institute, Alcorn as it is commonly known was founded in 1871 after the wake of Civil War in United States of America. With the efforts of the people of the state of Mississippi, it was established to provide higher education opportunities to the former slaves by the Reconstruction era legislature and was named after James L. Alcorn, the then governor of Mississippi. It is presently located in Claiborne County, Mississippi.

    Alcorn State University is recognized for the prominent role it has always played in bringing about change. It does not only has the honor of being the first land grant institute for the black to have been founded in the country but also to have played a vital role in civil rights era, forming resistance against racial and ethnic segregation. The famed Medgar Evers, a civil rights advocate is among the most distinguished alumni of the university.

    Besides, its campus life has also faced a time of struggle. However, it now has around 40 clubs and student activity organizations on the campus consisting of student council to religious as well as music groups. Alcorn has also developed its athletic teams. Its teams are called ‘Braves and Lady Braves’ with Purple and Gold being the campus colors and play at the NCAA Division I. The teams also participate at the SWAC and the Lady Braves, its women’s team won the tennis Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship in 2016.

    Alcorn is a multi campus facility with the main campus being in Lorman and the other extension campuses being based in Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi. Its academic programs fall under five schools with a separate department for the Graduate Studies. Its Business and Nursing schools are based in the Natchez campus. It offers Undergraduate and Graduate degree programs along with Associate and Pre Professional programs. The university also has study abroad opportunities for its students.

    Alcorn School Facts

    • Years Estd.1871
    • NicknameBraves and Lady Braves
    • MottoWhere Knowledge and Character Matter
    • ColorsPurple and Gold
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division I – SWAC
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous Alcorn Alumni

    • Alex Haley

      Education & Advocacy

      A writer, known for his famed work 'Roots: The Saga of an American Family'

    • Jack Spinks

      Professional Sports

      A former football player for the New York Giants

    • Larry Smith

      Professional Sports

      A former NBA player; also the assistant coach in the NBA and WNBA

    • Albert Butler

      Politics & Law

      Served as the State Senator of Mississippi

    • Horace R. Cayton, Sr.

      Politics & Law

      A politician and a journalist; is considered among the first of the blacks to have served on the state and the county delegations in Seattle

    • Katie G. Dorsett

      Politics & Law

      Member of North Carolina Senate 28th District

    • Adena Williams Loston

      Politics & Law

      Serves as the President of St. Philip’s College in San Antonio, Texas


  • Belhaven University Seal

    Belhaven University

    Jackson, Mississippi

    Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi
    • 4,450 Total Students
    • 51% Acceptance Rate
    • 18% Enrollment Rate
    • 11 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 3,053 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Present day Belhaven has resulted from merger of three spate institutes over the course of its more than 120 years journey. The first of the three institutes began in 1883 Belhaven College in Jackson city of Mississippi. It first merged with McComb Female Institute in 1911 and then with Mississippi Synodical College after more than two decades in 1939. The college was named Belhaven after the ancestral home of Colonel Jones S. Hamilton, whose residence had once served as the institute’s building. The university relocated to another site but is still based in Jackson, Mississippi and operates six other campuses.

    A Private liberal arts institute, Belhaven University also came to be affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. As a result, the university is not only actively involved in the academic journey of its students but rather their spiritual lives as well. Teaching its students through a Christian perspective, it aims to enable them for leadership in a globally shifting society.

    Student activities and mobility is at the heart of campus life at Belhaven University. Students are involved in organizing events such as Worship Night and Community Connection, Video Game Night or UDC Dance Jam. Life at the university is about learning and connecting with each other and the community as well as having fun and variety. There are student ministries which organize worship and Bible study groups but also organize Intervarsity College Fellowships that involve students from other universities or colleges. The university also conducts its Chapel. There are community outreach programs such as Habitat for Humanity, nursing home visits, or visiting families of children with special needs. The university also has its recreation team and has 15 athletics teams participating at the NCAA Division III. The campus colors are Green and Gold.

    Academics at Belhaven consist of undergraduate programs, Bachelor’s degrees in more than 70 disciplines of study including majors and concentrations. There are graduate programs as well as adult and professional degree programs. Notable facility at the university is the Warren A. Hood Library.

    Belhaven School Facts

    • Years Estd.1883
    • NicknameBlazers
    • MottoNon Ministari Sed Ministare (Latin)
    • Motto Eng.Not To Be Served But To Serve
    • ColorsGreen and Gold
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division III
    • Religious AffiliationPresbyterian Church (USA)

    Famous Belhaven Alumni

    • Elizabeth Spencer

      Education & Advocacy

      Author; works include The Light in the Piazza

    • Craig Demmin

      Professional Sports

      Former professional footballer, notably for Rochester Rhinos and Trinidad and Tobago

    • Tramaine Brock

      Professional Sports

      Current NFL cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers

    • John Brady

      Professional Sports

      Current head coach at Arkansas State University; also served as head basketball coach at Louisiana State University, and

    • Marie Hull

      Entertainment & Arts

      Artist

    • Joel Bomgar

      Politics & Law

      Founder of Bomgar; also Republican member of the Mississippi House of Representatives


  • Blue Mountain College

    Blue Mountain, Mississippi

    • 483 Total Students
    • 99% Acceptance Rate
    • 45% Enrollment Rate
    • 11 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 126 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    BMC is a Private Liberal Arts college that happened due to the vision of General Mark Perrin Lowrey, Civil War Brigadier. He was a village preacher before a war hero and a strong believer in the education for women. With him and his two eldest daughters, he founded the Blue Mountain Female Institute in 1873. The college operated as an independent institute when in 1920 it was taken over by Mississippi Baptist Convention and stayed as a female only institute. However in 2005, understanding the needs of its region, the college became coeducational.

    It is situated in the town of Blue Mountain in Mississippi and the college maintains its foundation as the Christian centered and a Baptist institute. This of its tradition to prepare its students for their future through ideals of discipline and community building go back to the Christian educators that founded and shaped the college.

    Blue Mountain College aims to provide a wholesome environment for its students to live and thrive in every way for success ahead. With a small student population, the college aims to connect students with each other on a higher level than just academic; and as a community. Chapel Service is no exception to the college but there is also Baptist student Union which provides mission trips which go out during the summer breaks and are involved in community outreach throughout the region as well as internationally. But besides the serious work that the students are equipped with, there is also the fine arts center which works to bring out the unique talents of its students such as musical or stage performances and use them to spread the word of God. It is not without its athletics teams which participate at the NAIA. Its campus colors are Blue and Gold.

    The academic programs provided at the college are undergraduate degree programs with over 45 majors and minors. There are three Bachelor Degrees conferred and there are eight departments covering business, arts, sciences, language, literature and others. Its notable facility is the Wilfred C. Tyler Gymnasium.

    BMC School Facts

    • LocationMississippi
    • Religious AffiliationSouthern Baptist

    Famous BMC Alumni

    • Natalie Frances Talbot Gardner

      Entertainment & Arts

      Creator of the Perry Mason series

    • Josh Hadley

      Professional Sports

      A basketball star; presently the head coach at Magnolia Heights University

    • Dusti Bongé

      Entertainment & Arts

      Artist, Biloxi,

    • George Duke Humphrey

      Education & Advocacy

      A Former president of Mississippi State University, 9th


  • Delta State University Seal

    Delta State University

    Cleveland, Mississippi

    Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi
    • 3,454 Total Students
    • 87% Acceptance Rate
    • 44% Enrollment Rate
    • 14 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 845 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    DSU is a public, coeducational higher education institute which was established by the State of Mississippi in the year 1924. It began as a white only institute and came to be based at the site of former Bolivar County Agricultural High School; it remained white only till 1967 after which it ended racial segregation. The institute went on from a teachers college to college and eventually progressed as a university in 1974, authorized by the state legislature.

    Delta State University is based in Cleveland, Mississippi. It started as an educational institute and has grown into an institute contributing greatly to the economic and cultural development beyond the region by being an institute where students are prepared to think critically and act innovatively.

    At DSU, students never run out of opportunities to learn and grow. There are many extracurricular opportunities aimed at bringing students together over different interests and goals. Students find leadership opportunities through Students Government Association and there by working for student welfare and to voice student concerns. There is also union Program council which arranges activities and events on campus for students to enjoy such as Springfest, Fall events and much more. There are also other over 100 student organisations ranging from academic, social, political, recreation and Greek and Honor societies. There is also emphasis on performing arts where artists join the audience at the campus for performance as well as movie series and screenings. There is also Parents Association aimed at increasing family and parent participation in the academic journey of its students. The university also has unique traditions such as Cookouts on the Quad, The Okra, Pig Pickin and Music Everywhere. Students also take part in athletics as teams; ‘Statesmen and Lady Statesmen’ take part at NCAA Division I. The campus colors are Green and White.

    At DSU, academic programs offered are undergraduate programs with over 40 majors and 12 Masters Degree programs and a Doctoral program. It also offers online education. Its prominent facilities are Bologna Performing Arts Center, Derrall Foreman Golf Course, Gibson-Gunn Building Lawler-Harkins Hall, Cain-Tatum Hall, Blansett Hall and few more.

    DSU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1924
    • NicknameStatesmen & Lady Statesmen
    • ColorsGreen and White
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division II – Gulf South
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous DSU Alumni

    • Viola B. Sanders

      Politics & Law

      6th Director of Women in the United States Navy

    • Scott Nagy

      Professional Sports

      Head basketball coach for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits

    • Mark Hudspeth

      Professional Sports

      Head football coach for the Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns

    • Eli Whiteside

      Professional Sports

      Two-time World Series Champion for the San Francisco Giants

    • Rowan Nathaniel House

      Entertainment & Arts

      Mid-20th century artist

    • Steve Azar

      Entertainment & Arts

      Country musician


  • Jackson State University Seal

    Jackson State University

    Jackson, Mississippi

    Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi
    • 9,802 Total Students
    • 68% Acceptance Rate
    • 23% Enrollment Rate
    • 18 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 8,035 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Jackson State University is a historically black university located in Jackson, Mississippi. It was established by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York City in 1877 during the reconstruction era. It was initially established in Natchez under the name of Natchez Seminary. The school was moved in 1882 to Jackson city changing its name to Jackson College. In 1902, the college established its current campus. It became state supported in 1940. Thirty years later, the college witnessed a tragic event which is currently called Jackson State Killings when the police opened fire at a group of protesting African students killing 2 students and injuring 11. The university plaza has been named after those who have been killed. Jackson University is currently the fourth largest historically black university in US. It is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

    Jackson main campus is located in the central region of Jackson city covering 245 acres with 51 academic and administrative buildings. The oldest building on campus is Ayer Hall which was built in 1903 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. Other distinctive buildings include The Walter Payton Health & Wellness Center that was built in 2006, Alexander Residence Hall, Charles F. Moore, Jones-Sampson Hall, H.T. Sampson Library, Ayer Hall, Heritage Dining Hall and J.L. Reddix Campus Union among several others. The university also operates several satellite campuses as JSU-Madison campus, JSU-Holmes campus, JSU- Mississippi E-Center and JSU Downtown.

    The University is divided into 9 colleges and schools including W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College offering more than 90 programs. It grants bachelor, master’s and doctoral degrees. Jackson State is classified by Carnegie Commission as a research university with high research activity. It is accredited by the the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in addition to accreditation from 14 other institutes for specific programs.

    JSU School Facts

    • Years Estd.October 23, 1877 (1877-10-23)
    • NicknameTigers
    • MascotBengal the Tiger
    • Motto"Challenging Minds, Changing Lives"
    • ColorsNavy blue and White
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division I – SAC
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous JSU Alumni

    • Dr. Rod Paige

      Politics & Law

      First African American to serve as the US Minister of Education

    • Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd

      Professional Sports

      former Major League Baseball player

    • Tony Yarber

      Politics & Law

      Mayor of Jackson

    • Cornell William Brooks

      Social Advocacy & Service

      President and CEO of the NAACP

    • Cassandra Wilson

      Entertainment & Arts

      Jass musician and vocalist

    • Percy Greene

      Social Advocacy & Service

      founder of the Jackson Advocate newspaper


  • Mississippi College Seal

    Mississippi College

    Clinton, Mississippi

    • 5,036 Total Students
    • 82% Acceptance Rate
    • 37% Enrollment Rate
    • 15 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 1,958 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Mississippi College (MC) is a private Chrisitian higher education institute located in Clinton, Mississippi. It was established by a charter from Mississippi Gov. David Holmes in 1826 making it the second oldest institute with Baptist affiliation and the first one to be established in Mississippi. It is currently the largest private college in the state. It was initially named Hampstead Academy before the name was changed in the following year to Mississippi Academy following the request of its board of trustees. Its name was changed again in 1830 to its current name. In the following year, Mississippi College was the first higher education institute to grant degrees to female students. The college was affected drastically by the Civil War which caused deterioration to its buildings and losing its endowment. It could recover its state afterwards during the presidency of Walter Hillman. The college received accreditation in 1922 fromthe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1942, the college expanded through the purchase and absorption of Hillman College which was an institute for female students. During the World War II, the college was among 131 institutes participating in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. In 1975, the school of law was introduced when the college purchased the former Jackson School of Law. In 1992, the college expanded again by absorbing Clarke College.

    Mississippi College campus covers more than 80 acres with several distinctive buildings as Provine Chapel which is the oldest building on campus, Nelson Hall, Aven Hall, Robinson-Hale Stadium and Rice Baseball Field House. The official colors of the university are blue and gold. Its athletic teams, who are nicknamed Choctaws, compete in NCAA Division II as members of the Gulf South Conference.

    The college is divided into 7 schools offering 43 undergraduate programs in addition to 62 graduate and certificate programs. It grants bachelor, master and doctoral degrees.

    MC School Facts

    • Years Estd.January 24, 1826
    • NicknameChoctaws
    • MottoVeritas et Virtus
    • Motto Eng.Truth and Virtue
    • ColorsBlue and Gold
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division II – Gulf South
    • Religious AffiliationSouthern Baptist

    Famous MC Alumni

    • Phil Bryant

      Politics & Law

      Governor of Mississippi

    • Ted DiBiase

      Professional Sports

      former professional WWE wrestler

    • Bernard Ebbers

      Business & Industry

      co-founder and former CEO of WorldCom

    • Edgar Godbold

      Education & Advocacy

      former president of Howard Payne University and Louisiana College

    • Lee Yancey

      Politics & Law

      Mississippi senator


  • Mississippi State University Seal

    Mississippi State University

    Mississippi State, Mississippi

    Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, Mississippi
    • 20,873 Total Students
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • 43% Enrollment Rate
    • 19 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 12,446 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Mississippi State University, which is officially named The Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science, is a land grant public university classified by Carnegie foundation among “R2: Doctoral Universities – Higher Research Activity”. It was established by the Mississippi Legislature in 1878 following the Morrill Act that was issued in 1862. It was originally named The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi. The first class started at the college in 1880. The college established the Agricultural Experiment Station 8 years later following the provisions of the Hatch Act that was issued in the preceding year. The college expanded again in 1914 by the establishment of The Cooperative Extension Service as decided by the Smith-Lever Act. The name of the college was changed in 1932 to Mississippi State College. The name was changed again in 1958 to Mississippi State University. In 1965, the university started accepting the admission of African American students for the first time following the decision of United States Supreme Court to terminate the segregation of public schools. In 2002, the college started a fund raising campaign that continued for 7 years collecting more than $462 million.

    The university has a large campus covering 4,200 acres with 160 buildings. The oldest building on campus is the old main which was previously called Main Dormitory and is the largest college residential building in the United States. The university main librbary is known as Mitchell Memorial Library which contains more than 2 million volumes. Other Prominent buildings and facilities on campus include Lee Hall, McCain Engineering Building, Colvard Student Union, McCool Hall, Patterson Engineering Building, Bowen Hall, Montgomery Hall, McCarthy Gymnasium, Allen Hall and Longest Student Health Center. The official colors of the university are maroon. Its athletic teams, who are nicknamed Bulldogs, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Southeastern Conference.

    Mississippi State is divided into 12 colleges and schools including Richard C. Adkerson School of Accountancy, James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering and Shackouls Honors College.

    MSU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1878
    • NicknameBulldogs
    • MascotBully
    • MottoLearning, Service, Research
    • ColorsMaroon and White
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division I – SEC
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous MSU Alumni

    • Erick Dampier

      Professional Sports

      former NBA basketball player

    • Mark Keenum

      Education & Advocacy

      President of Mississippi State University

    • John C. Stennis

      Politics & Law

      former US Senator

    • Will Clark

      Professional Sports

      Baseball player, 6-time MLB All-Star

    • Jerry Clower

      Entertainment & Arts

      Stand-up comedian


  • Mississippi University for Women Seal

    Mississippi University for Women

    Columbus, Mississippi

    • 2,673 Total Students
    • 96% Acceptance Rate
    • 38% Enrollment Rate
    • 14 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 671 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Mississippi University for Women (MUW) is a coeducational public higher education institute. It was established in 1884 following the decision of the Mississippi Legislature making it the first public higher education institute for women in the United States. The college was initially named under the name of the Industrial Institute and College for the Education of White Girls and operated in the former campus of the Columbus Female Institute. The first class started in 1885 and consisted of around 250 students. The name of the institute was changed in 1920 to Mississippi State College for Women before being changed again in 1974 to its current name. The university became a coeducational institute in 1982 following a decision of the U.S. Supreme Court against the single sex admission to the nursing program and the decision of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning to allow admission of men to all programs at the university. In 2009, Mississippi State legislature rejected a proposal to change the name of the university to Reneau University.

    The university campus is located in Columbus, Mississippi. It offers several distinctive buildings and facilities including Callaway Hall, Carrier Chapel, Columbus Hall, Cromwell Communication Center, Eudora Welty Hall, Fant Hall, Franklin Hall, Frazer Hall, Legacy Garden and Marie Charlotte Stark Recreation Building. The university library, which is known as The John Clayton Fant Memorial Library, is designated as by the United States Congress as a Federal Depository Library. The official colors of the university are dark blue and light blue while its mascot is called Ody the Owl. Its athletic teams are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

    The university is divided into 5 colleges and schools offering 10 undergraduate programs and 7 master’s degree programs. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

    MUW School Facts

    • Years Estd.1884
    • NicknameThe W
    • MascotOdy the Owl
    • MottoA Tradition of Excellence for Women and Men
    • ColorsMUW (Dark) Blue & Welty (Light) Blue
    • LocationMississippi
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous MUW Alumni

    • Tina Renee Johns Benkiser

      Politics & Law

      former chairman of the Republican Party of Texas

    • Eudora Welty

      Entertainment & Arts

      Pulitzer Prize-winning author

    • Lenore Prather

      Politics & Law

      first female Mississippi Supreme Court Justice

    • Elizabeth Lee Hazen

      Science & Medicine

      co-discoverer of nystatin

    • Mary Libby Bickerstaff Payne

      Politics & Law

      former Mississippi Appeals Court Judge


  • Mississippi Valley State University Seal

    Mississippi Valley State University

    Itta Bena, Mississippi

    Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi
    • 2,309 Total Students
    • 76% Acceptance Rate
    • 21% Enrollment Rate
    • 16 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 2,310 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is a public historically black higher education institute located in Mississippi Valley State, Mississippi. The university was established by the State Legislature and Governor Thomas L. Bailey in 1946 under the name of Mississippi Vocational College. The first class started at the university 4 years later. It initially aimed at attracting African American students who would rather enroll at Mississippi’s distinctive institutions that were dedicated to white students after the expected decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that segregation of public higher education institute is unconstitutional. The institute was initially planned to established in the former Greenwood Army Air Base as it has already many facilities built and available and would save much of the costs however, this was cancelled due to objections from the local residents of Carroll County, Mississippi. In 1964, the college witnessed non-violent boycott that included 800 students that required more inclusion of black history courses, inviting prominent black speakers and purchase of books of black authors. In 1974, the name of the college was changed to Mississippi Valley State University.

    The university has a rural campus covering 450 acres with several distinctive buildings and facilities as Magnolia Hall, Clara T. Reed Residence Hall, William J. Stewart Hall, Mapluma Ratcliff Hall, John A. James Hall as well as the university library which is named James Herbert White Library. The university has a public FM radio station broadcasting a variety of music and events. The official colors of the university are forest green and white while its mascot is called Devil. Its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

    MVSU is divided into 3 colleges in addition to a graduate school offering undergraduate programs in 54 majors and 9 master’s programs. It is currently a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

    MVSU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1950
    • NicknameDelta Devils & Devilettes
    • MascotDevil
    • ColorsForest green and White
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division I (FCS)
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous MVSU Alumni

    • David Lee Jordan

      Politics & Law

      Democratic Mississippi State Senator

    • Gary A. McGaha

      Education & Advocacy

      President of Atlanta Metropolitan State College

    • Alphonso Ford

      Professional Sports

      Former NBA and Euroleague basketball player

    • Corey Holmes

      Politics & Law

      Mayor of Metcalfe, Mississippi

    • Claude Perkins

      Education & Advocacy

      former President of Virginia Union University


  • University of Southern Mississippi Seal

    University of Southern Mississippi

    Hattiesburg, Mississippi

    University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
    • 14,551 Total Students
    • 57% Acceptance Rate
    • 44% Enrollment Rate
    • 17 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 6,046 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Southern Miss is a public institute and a research university that was established by the legislation as a teacher training institute and was called Mississippi Normal College. It was founded in 1910 but held its classes in 1912 for the first time. By 1922 the college was authorized to award baccalaureate degrees. Thereon, by 1939 it evolved into a college.

    By 1962 the college transformed into a university and was named as University of Southern Mississippi. It is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Integrating knowledge with the application, it aims to be the stepping stone in its students’ intellectual development, professional success, leadership endeavors and service.

    Students at Southern Miss take advantage of various opportunities and activities to develop themselves in all capacities. They get involved around the campus through participation in the student groups and organizations – more than 280 being run on campus. Students also find the opportunity to be part of fraternities and sororities and run the student government association, helping them provide a practical leadership learning experience. Other leadership development programs available are SOAR awards, workshops, leadership summit and course credits. They are also encouraged to take part in community building through volunteer work, service learning programs, service breaks, REACH programs providing students with on job facilities in return for community work. There is also a Union Complex at the campus which serves as the hub for activities, with its eating place, the gaming activities, a chapel for religious and spiritual reflection and housing the student-run organizations. There is also a special emphasis on arts at the campus; besides education in arts, students also bring creative and visual performances for their fellow students. Students also enthusiastically take part in athletic teams at the campus, called Golden Eagles and which play at NCAA Division I. The official colors are Black and Gold.

    The academic programs at the university consist of 110+ undergraduate, 50+ master, 20+ doctoral programs, and also graduate certificate programs. Its notable facility is the Scianna Hall, Lucas Administration Building, Johnson Science Tower, Keesler Center Cook Library, and more.

    Southern Miss School Facts

    • Years Estd.March 30, 1910 (1910-03-30)
    • NicknameGolden Eagles / Lady Eagles
    • MascotSeymour d'Campus
    • ColorsBlack and Gold
    • LocationMississippi
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous Southern Miss Alumni

    • James W. Smith, Jr.

      Politics & Law

      Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Mississippi

    • Gary Grubbs

      Entertainment & Arts

      Actor, JFK, The Astronaut's Wife, The O. C., Will & Grace

    • Tom Malone

      Entertainment & Arts

      Musician, CBS Orchestra, Late Show with David Letterman, Blues Brothers Band

    • Roger Brent

      Science & Medicine

      Systems biologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

    • Robert L. Stewart

      Science & Medicine

      Former NASA astronaut; retired Army brigadier general

    • Sheena Allen

      Business & Industry

      Entrepreneur; Founder and CEO of CapWay and Sheena Allen Apps

    • Maxie Lambright

      Professional Sports

      Former head football coach, Louisiana Tech

    • Tyrone Nix

      Professional Sports

      Assistant Head Coach, University of Mississippi

    • Patrik-Ian Polk

      Entertainment & Arts

      Producer, filmmaker, and artist

    • Phil Bryant

      Politics & Law

      Governor of Mississippi



All Top Colleges in Mississippi

  • Millsaps College Seal

    Millsaps College

    Jackson, Mississippi

    Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi
    • 809 Total Students
    • 53% Acceptance Rate
    • 12% Enrollment Rate
    • 9 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 3,657 Total Applicants
    • No Online Programs

    Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college affiliated to the United Methodist Church. It was established 1890 by Major Reuben Webster Millsaps. He donated the land and $50,000 for establishment of the college. The first female student graduated from the college in 1902 while the first international student graduated six years later. In 1914, the Old Main building was destroyed by fire and was then replaced by Murrah Hall. In 1916, the owner of the college, Major Millsaps died and was buried in a tomb located near the center of the campus. In 1936, Millsaps College purchased Grenada College which declared bankruptcy during the great depression. The college remained accepting only white students till 1965 when it voluntary decided to accept student regardless of their races. In 1967, Robert Kennedy delivered a speech at the college during his presidential campaign. The college witnessed another prominent speech in 1975 delivered by President Jimmy Carter talking about the crisis in the Middle East.

    Millsaps Campus is located in Jackson, Mississippi covering 103 acres. The Bowl represents the center of the campus which is a space dedicated to host events and performances. Distinctive facilities on campus include the Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex, Olin Science Hall, Sullivan-Harrell Hall, and the Millsaps-Wilson Library in addition to the Campbell College Center which was renovated in 2000. The campus also contains the Christian Center which was originally built as a memorial to the graduates and students who died during the World War II, Murrah Hall and between them is Nicholson Garden which contains Major Millsaps’ tomb.  The official colors of the university are purple and white while its mascot is called the Millsaps Major. Its athletic teams compete in the Southern Athletic Association and the NCAA Division III.

    The college offers 57 academic programs granting Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in addition to 4 pre-professional degrees. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

    MIllsaps School Facts

    • Years Estd.1890
    • NicknameMajors and Lady Majors
    • MascotThe Millsaps Major
    • MottoAd Excellentiam (Latin)
    • Motto Eng.In pursuit of excellence
    • ColorsPurple & White
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNCAA Division III – SAA
    • Religious AffiliationUnited Methodist

    Famous MIllsaps Alumni

    • Lisa D'Amour

      Entertainment & Arts

      playwright and winner of Obie Award

    • James E. Graves, Jr.

      Politics & Law

      judge of the Supreme Court of Mississippi

    • Ray Marshall

      Politics & Law

      Secretary of Labor during the Carter administration

    • Tate Reeves

      Politics & Law

      Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi and former state treasurer

    • Robert C. Robbins

      Education & Advocacy

      current President of The University of Arizona and former CEO of the Texas Medical Center


  • Tougaloo College Seal

    Tougaloo College

    Tougaloo, Mississippi

    Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi
    • 872 Total Students
    • 39% Acceptance Rate
    • 17% Enrollment Rate
    • 10 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 2,321 Total Applicants
    • No Online Programs

    Tougaloo College is a historically black private college for liberal arts. It was established in 1869 by the American Missionary Association of New York to educate freed slaves and their offspring. The missionary purchased 500-acres land including a mansion and outbuildings for establishment of the campus. The college started establishing more buildings with the financial support from the Bureau of Refugees and Freedmen. In 1871, the college received its charter from the Mississippi State Legislature under the name of Tougaloo University. The university served as a teacher training school. In 1873, the college started offering a program in theology to prepare students for Christian ministry and expanded its industry programs. In 1881, Washington Hall was completely destroyed by fire and classes were conducted temporarily in a newly established barn on campus. In 1892, the state support to the college ended. Tougaloo started offering courses for college credit and it started offering bachelor degree programs 4 years later. In 1916, the college name was changed to its current one. In 1954, Tougaloo merged with Southern Christian Institute into the Tougaloo Southern Christian College. In 1962, the name was changed back to Tougaloo College after the vote of the Board of Trustees.

    The college current campus covers 15 acres. It includes a historic district that consists of 10 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic buildings include the Mansion and Woodworth Chapel. The college athletic teams, the Bulldogs, compete in NAIA as members of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Their official colors are royal blue and scarlet.

    The college is divided into 4 academic divisions. It offers undergraduate programs in 29 majors.  The college is known that it has historically educated more than 40% of the African American physicians and dentists working in the state of Mississippi in addition to more than one-third of the state’s African American attorneys.

    Tougaloo School Facts

    • Years Estd.1869
    • NicknameBulldogs and Lady Bulldogs
    • Motto"Where History Meets the Future"
    • ColorsRoyal Blue and Scarlet
    • LocationMississippi
    • AthleticsNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Religious AffiliationUnited Church of Christ

    Famous Tougaloo Alumni

    • Reuben V. Anderson

      Politics & Law

      first black judge to sit on the Mississippi Supreme Court

    • Edward Blackmon

      Politics & Law

      Mississippi House of Representatives

    • Colia Clark

      Politics & Law

      civil rights activist and candidate for U.S. Senate in New York

    • Constance Slaughter-Harvey

      Politics & Law

      first black judge in the state of Mississippi

    • Aaron Shirley

      Science & Medicine

      founder of Jackson Medical Mall and recipient of MacArthur award


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