University of Mississippi
#1 Best Colleges in Mississippi- Graduation Rate
- 70% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,994 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $13,314 C+
- 22% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Colleges in Mississippi.
Every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,115,075.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 25% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Mississippi Matters
University of Mississippi is a public research university in University, MS and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 21,473
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose University of Mississippi
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1000–1200. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,314 a year after grants and scholarships — 22% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,994 ten years after enrolling — 25% above the typical college, against $20,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 41% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.44 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
The University of Mississippi is an inviting choice for students seeking a large public university experience, with an acceptance rate of 97%. This means that most applicants find a home here, making it a great option for those looking to pursue popular fields like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Education, and Psychology. The campus culture offers a blend of academic rigor and community engagement, which can be particularly appealing for students wanting to build connections while they learn.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $50,994 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure suggests that there's potential for upward mobility, especially for graduates in high-demand fields. With a manageable net price of $13,314 after aid, the affordability of an education here makes it accessible for many. The mix of educational opportunities and career outcomes indicates that students are generally prepared to make their mark in the workforce.
When it comes to financial considerations, the median debt stands at $20,000, which is quite reasonable given the potential earnings post-graduation. Students who thrive here often take advantage of the supportive environment and diverse programs. With a significant portion of the student body receiving Pell Grants, it’s clear that this university is committed to supporting students from various economic backgrounds, setting the stage for a fruitful college experience.
Rankings
- #1 Best Colleges in Mississippi
- #1 Best Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi
- #1 Best Master's Programs in Mississippi
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi
- #1 Best Business Colleges in Mississippi
- #2 Best Biology Colleges in Mississippi
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in Mississippi
- #3 Best Education Colleges in Mississippi
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Mississippi is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Mississippi? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Mississippi, located in University, Mississippi, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,184. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1184
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1000–1200
- ACT Range
- 21–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 86%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,330
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.38
- First-Gen Students
- 24%
- Applicants
- 22,311
- Admitted
- 21,727
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Mississippi is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 19% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 19%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 8%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 60%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 68% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Mississippi? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Mississippi is $28,600, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,314. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,945 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,772
- Out-of-State
- $28,600
- Avg Net Price
- $13,314
- Median Debt
- $20,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 37%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,945
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,217
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,794
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,313
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Mississippi — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Mississippi Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Mississippi earn a median of $50,994, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,336
- 8 Years
- $48,889
- 10 Years
- $50,994
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,809)
- 48%
- 100% (1,809)
- 48%
- 100% (1,809)
- 48%
- 100% (1,809)
- 48%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Mississippi Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Mississippi delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,314/year ($53,256 total). Graduates earn $50,994 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,168,331 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,115,075 (21.9× your investment). The median debt is $20,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 70% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $53,256
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,168,331
- Net Return
- $1,115,075
- ROI Multiple
- 21.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,314
- Median Debt
- $20,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Mississippi Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Mississippi is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.65%, well above the typical college. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $109,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.65%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 23.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $148,229
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-46,397,296
Top Programs
The fields University of Mississippi awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 29% $61,170 early-career
- Health Professions 19% $67,010 early-career
- Communications 8% $40,812 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $29,935 early-career
- Psychology 4% $22,955 early-career
- Education 4% $40,390 early-career
- Engineering 4% $73,079 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $31,312 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Mississippi's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Mississippi? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Mississippi, located in University, Mississippi, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,184. The graduation rate is roughly 70%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Mississippi? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Mississippi is $28,600, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,314. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,945 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of Mississippi Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Mississippi earn a median of $50,994, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does University of Mississippi Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Mississippi is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.65%, well above the typical college. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $109,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Mississippi? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Mississippi. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Mississippi offer Early Decision?
No. University of Mississippi does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of Mississippi really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 68% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Mississippi (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Mississippi?
About 19% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Mississippi — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare University of Mississippi
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Mississippi.
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Close peer59% grad $54,384 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · Close peer53% grad $53,236 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · Close peer62% grad $55,146 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS · Close peer65% grad $51,513 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV · Close peer50% grad $55,037 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Mississippi? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Mississippi. Its economic connectedness score is 1.44, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note