Admit rate has ranged 49%–70% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Millsaps College is a small, selective liberal arts college in Jackson, Mississippi, where intellectual curiosity meets Southern charm. Known for its rigorous academics and tight-knit community, Millsaps graduates boast earnings $24,000 above the regional average—proof that its focus on critical thinking and leadership pays off. With a 43% acceptance rate and a campus life that balances academic intensity with modest social scenes, it’s a place where students dive deep into majors like business, biology, and neuroscience while forging close connections with faculty.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
549
In-state tuition
$44,680
Out-of-state tuition
$44,680
Location
Jackson, MS
Top Majors
Business (27%), Biology (16%), Accounting (9%)
Acceptance Rate
43.1%
6-Year Grad Rate
67% (non-Pell), 36% (Pell)
On-Campus Housing
88% of students
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Median Alumni Earnings (4 yrs out)
$70,977
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$53,848
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.1×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
57%
First-year retention
58%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
75%
Pell (lower-income) share
47%
First-generation share
17%
Endowment / student
$201,222
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$33,993
Psychology, General$29,685
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
93
Summer high
90°F
Winter low
41°F
Annual rain
62.5"
Annual snow
1.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
79
Scholarly works
922
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.8%
Bottom → top quintile
31%
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Millsaps College?
Millsaps College's acceptance rate is approximately 43% (Jackson, MS), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Millsaps College?
Admitted students at Millsaps College typically score 1025–1150 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Millsaps College cost?
At Millsaps College, the average net price (after aid) is about $26,034 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Millsaps College?
Millsaps College enrolls approximately 549 undergraduate students.
Where is Millsaps College located?
Millsaps College is located in Jackson, MS.
Admissions
Millsaps College is selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. of 43.1% (1,009 admitted out of 2,340 applicants). Middle 50% test scores for admitted students fall between 1130–1360 SAT or 28 ACT, though the college offers a Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. pathway. Enrollment YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. is modest, with 547 students matriculating from the admitted pool. The admissions process emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., considering high school GPA, college prep courses, and extracurricular involvement alongside test scores (if submitted).
Millsaps leans into its , encouraging exploration across , from neuroscience to business administration. The most popular majors are , , and , with biology degrees notably specialized (40 awarded in recent data). Small class sizes and a student-faculty ratio of foster close mentorship. The curriculum emphasizes and hands-on learning, with programs like the Else School of Management anchoring its reputation in the region. One student sums it up: 'Millsaps is very academic—it’s not a place to coast.'
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
From bottom quintile
6%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Life at Millsaps is tightly woven, with 88% of students living on campus in a mix of historic and modern residence halls. Social life is moderate—think campus events like Homecoming Week and student orgs (from spiritual groups to arts clubs) rather than raucous parties. The college promotes involvement through 'Get Involved' initiatives, including leadership programs and community service. Athletics (NCAA Division III) and Greek life (30% participation) add structure, but the vibe leans more toward 'late-night coffee shop debates' than 'frat row.'
Millsaps delivers on ROI: Four years post-graduation, alumni earn a median $70,977—$23,952 above the regional average and the highest among Mississippi colleges. The 6-year graduation rate is 67% for non-Pell Grant recipients but drops to 36% for Pell recipients, highlighting a socioeconomic gap. Early-career earnings ($36,427 at one year out) ramp up significantly, suggesting the value of Millsaps’ liberal arts foundation in mid-career advancement. Notably, 95% of graduates are employed or in grad school within six months.
Tuition sits at $45,570, with total annual costs (including room/board) reaching $62,340. However, 68% of students receive financial aid, with an average package of $41,609—slashing the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. to $26,739 for many. Merit scholarships are robust, including automatic awards covering 50% of tuition for qualifying local JPS scholars. The college actively promotes its net price calculator to demystify costs, and its aid packages lean heavily on grants over loans.
Millsaps is Mississippi’s academic heavyweight, marrying rigorous liberal arts training with Southern hospitality. Its top-tier earnings outcomes defy stereotypes about humanities degrees, while programs like neuroscience and business attract regional talent. The campus culture—intimate but not insular—rewards students who thrive on debate and professor access. For those seeking a small-college experience with big financial returns, Millsaps punches far above its weight.
Millsaps College logo · sourceMillsaps College | Visit Jackson · sourceWelcome Week - Millsaps College · sourceChoose Your Path - Millsaps College - YouTube · source
