2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi

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First-year retention rates measure the percentage of first-year students who come back to campus for a second year. This is an indicator of how happy students are generally with their decision to attend that institution as less students decide to drop out or transfer to another school.

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Rank	Institution	First Year Retention Rate	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	University of Mississippi	87	96.58	1,060 – 1,310	15045	45336	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi University of Mississippi University, MS Found in University, the University of Mississippi accepts 97% of applicants and charges $70 for undergraduate applications. About 68% of students at the University of Mississippi currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 96.6% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $15,045 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,336
2	Rust College	84	48.67	860 – 1,030	12037	25641	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Rust College Holly Springs, MS Based in Holly Springs, Rust College accepted 49% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. About 65% of students at Rust College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 48.7% SAT Score 860 – 1,030 Avg. Net Price $12,037 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,641
3	Mississippi State University	83	77.64	1,090 – 1,350	18478	43487	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Found in Mississippi State, Mississippi State University accepts 78% of applicants. They request $40 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 91% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 77.6% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $18,478 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,487
4	Tougaloo College	83	59.85	880 – 1,090	14328	25777	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Tougaloo College Tougaloo, MS Based in Tougaloo, Tougaloo College accepts 60% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 48% of students at Tougaloo College currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % 16.9% Acceptance Rate 59.9% SAT Score 880 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $14,328 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,777
5	Mississippi College	78	29.11	1,010 – 1,210	28559	42011	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Mississippi College Clinton, MS Located in Clinton, Mississippi College accepted 29% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of students at Mississippi College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 29.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $28,559 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,011
6	William Carey University	78	60.29	1,020 – 1,220	15469	37639	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS Based in Hattiesburg, William Carey University accepts 60% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 96% of students at William Carey University currently receive grant aid from the school. 78% of students continued studying at William Carey University after completing their first......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 60.3% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $15,469 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,639
7	Alcorn State University	77	45.33	840 – 1,010	12376	27752	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MS Alcorn State University is highly selective, accepting 3,000 out of 6,530 applicants. 21% of accepted students enrolled. Established in 1871, this HBCU was built on the site of the old Oakland College, a school that never truly reopened after the Civil War. Women were admitted starting in 1895. First Year Retention Rate 77 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 45.3% SAT Score 840 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $12,376 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,752
8	University of Southern Mississippi	72	99.12	1,040 – 1,340	15095	37710	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Based in Hattiesburg, the University of Southern Mississippi accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $45 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 67% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 99.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $15,095 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,710
9	Mississippi Valley State University	70	92.38	760 – 930	10232	25817	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS Found in Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University accepts 92% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 96% of students at Mississippi Valley State University will receive grant aid from the school. At Mississippi Valley State University, there is a 70% first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 20.7% Acceptance Rate 92.4% SAT Score 760 – 930 Avg. Net Price $10,232 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,817
10	Belhaven University	68	49.75	1,010 – 1,200	16299	38987	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Belhaven University Jackson, MS Located in Jackson, Belhaven University accepted 50% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 75% of students at Belhaven University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 49.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $16,299 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,987
11	Blue Mountain Christian University	68	88.95	1,010 – 1,180	24712	35401	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Blue Mountain Christian University Blue Mountain, MS Blue Mountain Christian University was originally a women's school when it opened in 1873. It only became coeducational in 2005. During the last admissions cycle, 57% of accepted students enrolled....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 8.1% Acceptance Rate 89.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $24,712 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,401
12	Delta State University	67	100	930 – 1,150	14021	36265	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Delta State University Cleveland, MS Based in Cleveland, Delta State University’s acceptance rate is 100%. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. Approximately 78% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Delta State University, there is a 67% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 9.5% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $14,021 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,265
13	Mississippi University for Women	67	90.31	930 – 1,180	12487	47458	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS Based in Columbus, Mississippi University for Women’s acceptance rate is 90%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. About 82% of students at Mississippi University for Women will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 6.9% Acceptance Rate 90.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $12,487 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,458
14	Jackson State University	62	93.15	850 – 1,050	23450	30530	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Jackson State University Jackson, MS Found in Jackson, Jackson State University’s acceptance rate is 93% and requests $25 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 22% of students at Jackson State University will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 62% and around 21% of students will graduate within four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % 8.8% Acceptance Rate 93.2% SAT Score 850 – 1,050 Avg. Net Price $23,450 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,530
15	Millsaps College	58	43.12	1,080 – 1,300	27737	46137	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Mississippi Millsaps College Jackson, MS Millsaps College was founded in 1890 and has produced well-known actors, poets, professors, politicians, and athletes. “The Bowl” is the home of Homecoming activities, concerts, and events on campus. The college’s motto is “In pursuit of excellence” (Ad Excellentiam) and it’s affiliated with the United Methodist Church. First Year Retention Rate 58 % 20.5% Acceptance Rate 43.1% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $27,737 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,137