Mahadev Maitri Foundation
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Program Rankings · Mississippi

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi

Ranked by a weighted composite of outcomes, affordability, selectivity, academic profile, and program depth. Based on NCES IPEDS 2023–24 completions data.

26
Colleges Ranked
11
4-Year Programs
23
Public Colleges
Belhaven University
Top Ranked
Ranking Methodology: Each college earns a major score = 70% global composite score (outcomes 30%, affordability 25%, selectivity 20%, academic 15%, breadth 10%) + 30% program depth score (graduates in this major ÷ total enrollment, normalized across all US colleges).
1
54
Belhaven University
Jackson · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
53% accept51% grad rate12 graduates/yr
#512 nationally
2
52
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Wesson · Public · 2-year
$3,500 in-state6 graduates/yr
#1258 nationally
3
51
University of Mississippi
University · Public · 4-year
98% accept68% grad rate$9,252 in-state225 graduates/yr
#1857 nationally
#4
49
Blue Mountain Christian University
Blue Mountain · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
100% accept51% grad rate3 graduates/yr
#2863 nationally
#5
47
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State · Public · 4-year
76% accept63% grad rate$9,665 in-state177 graduates/yr
#3407 nationally
#6
46
Southeastern Baptist College
Laurel · Private Nonprofit · 4-year
60% grad rate33 graduates/yr
#253 nationally
#7
44
Hinds Community College
Raymond · Public · 2-year
$3,550 in-state4,515 graduates/yr
#698 nationally
#8
42
Jackson State University
Jackson · Public · 4-year
91% accept32% grad rate$8,520 in-state63 graduates/yr
#4030 nationally
#9
42
Jones County Junior College
Ellisville · Public · 2-year
$3,750 in-state1,677 graduates/yr
#964 nationally
#10
42
Southwest Mississippi Community College
Summit · Public · 2-year
$3,360 in-state861 graduates/yr
#1564 nationally
#11
41
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Booneville · Public · 2-year
$3,650 in-state1,332 graduates/yr
#1262 nationally
#12
41
Pearl River Community College
Poplarville · Public · 2-year
$3,400 in-state1,713 graduates/yr
#965 nationally
#13
40
Meridian Community College
Meridian · Public · 2-year
$3,658 in-state654 graduates/yr
#1260 nationally
#14
40
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Senatobia · Public · 2-year
$3,400 in-state1,395 graduates/yr
#700 nationally
#15
40
East Central Community College
Decatur · Public · 2-year
$3,560 in-state786 graduates/yr
#1259 nationally
About Liberal Arts Programs in Mississippi

Mississippi offers 26 accredited liberal arts programs across public and private institutions. Our rankings use NCES IPEDS 2023–24 completions data to measure how many graduates each college produces in this field relative to its total enrollment, combined with overall college quality metrics.

The ranking formula weights overall college quality at 70% — covering graduation outcomes, net price affordability, admissions selectivity, and academic profile of enrolled students — and program-specific depth at 30%, rewarding schools that genuinely specialize in liberal arts.

For in-state students, public colleges often offer significantly lower costs. Complete the FAFSA to determine need-based aid eligibility regardless of your income level. Aid availability can dramatically change the actual cost of attendance.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Based on our composite ranking — which weighs outcomes (graduation rates), affordability (net price), selectivity, academic profile, and program depth — the top-ranked college for Liberal Arts in Mississippi is Belhaven University. We rank all accredited institutions offering this program using NCES IPEDS 2023–24 data.

Explore Other Majors in Mississippi