Admit rate has ranged 29%–49% 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.
Mississippi Christian University is a selective, faith-based institution in Clinton, MS, where a traditional liberal arts core meets professional preparation in a distinctly Southern, community-oriented environment. Its identity is shaped by a Christian worldview, a unique 'Clubs & Tribes' system instead of Greek life, and a sprawling academic portfolio that includes a law school and a respected Physician Assistant program. The campus vibe is tight-knit and active, with a student body that skews heavily female and a retention rate suggesting students find their footing.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
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
2,518
In-state tuition
$23,500
Out-of-state tuition
$23,500
Application Fee
$40
Graduation Rate
59%
First-Year Retention
78%
Student-Faculty Ratio
14:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$47,485
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$47,485
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.7×
Median debt at graduation
$22,500
Graduation rate
59%
First-year retention
78%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
60%
Pell (lower-income) share
30%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
26%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$52,107
Accounting and Related Services$44,356
Marketing$42,682
Business Administration, Management and Operations$42,235
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$35,416
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.26
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
95
Summer high
90°F
Winter low
42°F
Annual rain
61.8"
Annual snow
1.5"
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Mississippi Christian University?
Mississippi Christian University's acceptance rate is approximately 29% (Clinton, MS), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Mississippi Christian University cost?
At Mississippi Christian University, the average net price (after aid) is about $27,712 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Mississippi Christian University?
Mississippi Christian University enrolls approximately 2,518 undergraduate students.
Where is Mississippi Christian University located?
Mississippi Christian University is located in Clinton, MS.
Admissions
With an of 29%, Mississippi Christian University is a selective institution where admissions is competitive. Admitted students typically present ACT scores in the 19–26 range, and the university considers admission test scores as part of its . The process appears to be test-considered, though the specific weight given to factors like GPA, rigor of secondary school record, or demonstrated interest is not detailed in the provided sources. Prospective students apply with a $40 application fee, and the admitted profile suggests a student body that is academically prepared but not drawn from the most ultra-competitive national pools.
MC offers a surprisingly expansive academic menu for a midsize university, boasting over 80 undergraduate majors and more than 50 graduate areas of study, anchored by a traditional liberal arts foundation. The curriculum is delivered in small settings, with a student-faculty ratio of 14:1. Popular undergraduate majors include Registered Nursing, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and Business. The university supplements its undergraduate core with three doctoral programs, a law school, and one of Mississippi's finest Physician Assistant programs, creating pathways for advanced study. This blend results in a 78% freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction with their initial academic and social experience. The environment is described as providing both academic knowledge and real-life experience, preparing students for next steps in their careers or education.
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.
$33,664
Criminal Justice and Corrections$30,771
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$29,322
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.
Life at MC is defined by active involvement and a strong sense of community, framed by its Christian identity. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,706 (as of Fall 2023) and a gender distribution that skews female, the campus is intimate and connected. The university replaces traditional Greek life with a unique system of 'Clubs & Tribes,' which are Christ-centered organizations designed to foster lifelong friendships and community involvement. Students are encouraged to 'get plugged in,' with plenty of opportunities through various clubs and campus events. The social media presence highlights orientation as a cherished time for making new friends and exploring campus, reinforcing the emphasis on belonging. It's a place where students build community through shared faith and activities.
Mississippi Christian University graduates students into the workforce with solid, if not spectacular, early-career earnings. The six-year graduation rate has shown steady improvement in recent cohorts, reaching 64% for the 2019-2025 period. For context, earlier cohorts graduated at rates between 61.8% and 62.4%. The median earnings for graduates six years after enrollment are reported as $42,011. The university's profile includes typical earnings of graduates as a key data point for prospective families. While some regional liberal arts colleges boast higher early-career salaries, MC's outcomes reflect its mix of professional and liberal arts programs serving a primarily regional student body.
The average annual cost for students is $27,712, though the can vary significantly based on family income. For federal loan recipients in the 2022-2023 cycle, the net price was $20,508. The university provides a net price calculator to help families estimate their scholarship and financial aid options, noting that it offers academic scholarships to all accepted students. The financial aid office actively encourages the use of this tool and is available for contact. The aid packaging includes federal loans, and the university will certify private/alternative loans from any lender, though completing the FAFSA is a prerequisite for loan certification. There is no indication in the provided sources of a 'no-loan' policy or a commitment to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need solely with grants.
Mississippi Christian University carves out a distinctive niche by seamlessly merging a comprehensive, graduate-level university's academic offerings—including law and health professions—with the close-knit, values-driven community of a small Christian college. Its 'Clubs & Tribes' system provides a unique alternative to Greek life, anchoring social life in faith-based fellowship rather than secular tradition. The scale is also key: it's large enough to support over 80 undergraduate majors and significant graduate programs, yet small enough to maintain a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. This creates an environment where a nursing student, a future lawyer, and a liberal arts major can all find rigorous training within a shared framework of community and purpose. It's for the student who wants the academic options of a larger university but the intentional, connected campus culture of a faith-based liberal arts college.
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