How many colleges are in Mississippi?

Mississippi has Ole Miss (20,000+ flagship), Mississippi State (23,150 record), Jackson State HBCU (6,326, top 15 nationally), 15 community colleges (65,326 students), and private colleges.

What is MTAG Mississippi?

MTAG provides $500/year freshmen/sophomores, $1,000/year juniors/seniors. Requirements: 2.5 GPA, 15 ACT, Mississippi resident, AGI exceeds Pell eligibility.

How hard is it to get into Mississippi State?

Mississippi State has 76.32% acceptance rate, record enrollment 23,150 students (2024), only public Mississippi university to grow 9 of last 10 years.

Mississippi Colleges and Universities

Complete Guide to Higher Education in Mississippi - Ole Miss, Mississippi State & MTAG Financial Aid

23,150

MSU Students

Record high, +500 from 2023

65,326

Community College Students

15 colleges, +5.3% growth

6,326

Jackson State HBCU

Top 15 HBCU nationally

$500-$1,000

MTAG Grant

State tuition assistance

🎓 University of Mississippi - Ole Miss (Flagship)

Ole Miss

Flagship

Location: Oxford, Mississippi

Enrollment: 20,000+ students

Status: Flagship university of Mississippi public university system

Tuition (2024-25): $9,772 in-state, $28,600 out-of-state (tuition and fees)

Alternative Source: $10,150 in-state, $30,310 out-of-state

Per Credit Hour: $401 in-state, $1,185 out-of-state

Total Cost of Attendance: $30,272 in-state, $49,100 out-of-state (includes housing, meals, books, expenses)

Founded: 1848

🏫 Mississippi State University

Mississippi State

Land-Grant

Total Enrollment (2024): 23,150 students (all-time high)

Undergraduates: 18,567 (Fall 2024)

Growth: +500 students over 2023 (22,657)

Previous Record: 23,086 (2021)

Acceptance Rate: 76.32% (15,934 admitted / 20,877 applications)

Growth Trend: Only public university in Mississippi to grow 9 of last 10 years (+11% overall)

Largest College: Bagley College of Engineering (5,021 students, record enrollment)

Status: Mississippi's land-grant research university

🏛️ Jackson State University (HBCU)

Jackson State University

HBCU Top 15 Nationally

Location: Jackson, Mississippi

Total Enrollment (Fall 2024): 6,326 students

Undergraduates: 4,650 (Fall 2024)

Growth: +2.2% to 6,464 students (Fall 2025 projection)

Historical Enrollment: 6,906 total (Fall 2022): 4,927 undergrad + 1,979 graduate

Type: Public historically black research university

Rankings: Recognized as one of top 15 HBCUs in nation

Commitment: Strong focus on student success and academic excellence

🎓 Mississippi Community College System (15 Colleges)

Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB)

Total Enrollment (Fall 2023): 65,326 students

Growth: +5.3% (Fall 2025 projection)

Annual Reach: 165,000+ students (credit and non-credit combined)

System Size: 15 community colleges statewide

Average College Size: 5,114 students per college (2025-26)

Largest: Hinds Community College (12,808 students)

Mission: Dedicated to serving educational, training, and workforce needs

15 Mississippi Community Colleges:

Hinds Community College (largest: 12,808 students)
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
East Mississippi Community College
Holmes Community College
Itawamba Community College
Jones College
Meridian Community College
Mississippi Delta Community College

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Pearl River Community College
Southwest Mississippi Community College
Coahoma Community College
East Central Community College

💰 Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)

MTAG - State Financial Aid

Award Amounts:

Freshmen & Sophomores: Up to $500 per academic year
Juniors & Seniors: Up to $1,000 per academic year

Maximum Duration: 8 semesters or degree completion (whichever comes first)

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

Residency: Legal Mississippi resident for 1 year prior to application
Application Period: October 1 – September 15
FAFSA: Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Academic: 2.5 GPA (4.0 scale) OR GED OR home school completion
Test Score: Minimum 15 ACT score
Financial: AGI exceeds maximum for Pell Grant eligibility (SAI > 0)
Enrollment: Full-time (15+ semester hours or 9+ trimester hours) at eligible Mississippi institution

Renewal/Continuing Eligibility:

Maintain continuous full-time enrollment for at least 2 semesters or 3 trimesters each academic year
Maintain 2.5 cumulative GPA
Evaluated at end of each semester

💲 Mississippi Tuition Comparison (2024-25)

Institution	In-State	Out-of-State
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)	$9,772 (alt: $10,150)	$28,600 (alt: $30,310)
Ole Miss Per Credit	$401	$1,185
MTAG Grant (Freshmen/Sophomores)	-$500/year
MTAG Grant (Juniors/Seniors)	-$1,000/year

Total Cost of Attendance (Ole Miss): $30,272 in-state, $49,100 out-of-state (includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, expenses)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Mississippi has University of Mississippi/Ole Miss (20,000+ students flagship), Mississippi State (23,150 record enrollment), Jackson State HBCU (6,326 students, top 15 nationally), 15 community colleges (65,326 students total), and numerous private colleges. Mississippi State is only public university to grow 9 of last 10 years.

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) provides $500/year for freshmen/sophomores, $1,000/year for juniors/seniors (up to 8 semesters). Requirements: Mississippi resident, 2.5 GPA, 15 ACT minimum, full-time enrollment, AGI exceeds Pell eligibility. Apply October 1 – September 15 via FAFSA. Maintain 2.5 GPA for renewal.

Mississippi State has 76.32% acceptance rate (15,934 admitted / 20,877 applications), making it relatively accessible. Record enrollment 23,150 students (Fall 2024, +500 from 2023). Only public Mississippi university to grow 9 of last 10 years. Bagley College of Engineering: 5,021 students (largest college, record enrollment).

Jackson State University is Mississippi's largest HBCU with 6,326 students (Fall 2024, 4,650 undergraduates). Growing +2.2% to 6,464 (Fall 2025). Recognized as one of top 15 HBCUs nationally. Public historically black research university in Jackson with strong commitment to student success and academic excellence.

Ole Miss tuition (2024-25): $9,772 in-state, $28,600 out-of-state (alternative source: $10,150 in-state, $30,310 out-of-state). Per credit: $401 in-state, $1,185 out-of-state. Total cost of attendance: $30,272 in-state, $49,100 out-of-state (includes housing, meals, books). MTAG reduces cost by $500-$1,000/year.

Mississippi has 15 community colleges with 65,326 students (Fall 2023), growing +5.3% (2025). System reaches 165,000+ students annually (credit and non-credit). Average college: 5,114 students. Largest: Hinds Community College (12,808 students). Managed by Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB) serving educational, training, and workforce needs.

Yes! Mississippi State reached all-time high 23,150 students (2024), +500 over 2023 (22,657), surpassing previous record 23,086 (2021). Only public Mississippi university to grow 9 of last 10 years (+11% overall increase). Bagley College of Engineering largest college with record 5,021 students. Jackson State HBCU also growing +2.2%. Community colleges +5.3%.