University, MSpublicwww.olemiss.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 88%–98% 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.
The University of Mississippi, known universally as Ole Miss, is a sprawling public flagship where the social and cultural traditions of the Deep South are as defining as the academic experience. With an admissions policy that is nearly open for general admission but can be fiercely selective for its elite professional schools, it offers a classic, spirited college life anchored by football Saturdays in the Grove and a surprisingly robust set of nationally recognized programs in accountancy, law, and pharmacy. It’s a place where the average net price is a genuine bargain, the graduation rate tells a story of a diverse student body, and the phrase 'Hotty Toddy' is a way of life.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Campus & location
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ole Miss operates on a two-tiered admissions reality. At the university-wide level, it is a nearly open admissions school, with an of 97%. The baseline academic requirements are straightforward: a high school diploma or GED is required, and the stated minimum for general admission is a 3.2 GPA and an ACT composite score of 16 (or SAT equivalent). This accessibility is a core part of its mission as Mississippi's flagship public university.
However, admission to specific, high-demand programs is a different story. Gaining entry into the highly regarded School of Accountancy, for example, requires a minimum 3.0 GPA, while other competitive majors may require a 2.5. The middle 50% of admitted students who choose to submit scores typically present an ACT range of 21–29 or an SAT range of 1000–1200, indicating that the enrolled student body is more academically prepared than the bare-minimum thresholds suggest. The university has a test-optional policy and accepts the Common Application. It does not offer an Early Decision plan, and factors like demonstrated interest are not a formal part of its admissions calculus, focusing instead on academic preparation.
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.
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.
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Organized into 15 academic divisions, Ole Miss offers over 80 undergraduate programs, creating a curriculum that is both broad and deep. The academic culture is described as "informative but also engaging and dynamic," with a focus on career-building opportunities. While the student body is large, the most popular majors cluster in professional fields: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (27% of 2024 graduates) and Health Professions and Related Programs (19%) dominate.
The university's reputation, however, is built on the strength of its professional schools, which are consistently highlighted as nationally recognized. These include:
The School of Business, in particular, is noted for strong preparation in finance, management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and information systems. This structure means a student can enjoy the resources and spirited life of a large public university while aiming for a credential from a unit with a distinct, competitive reputation.
Life at Ole Miss is defined by an unmatched school spirit and a vibrant social scene deeply intertwined with Southern tradition. Only about 31% of students live on campus, with the majority (69%) living off-campus, often in the charming college town of Oxford. This dynamic spreads student life across a walkable, historic downtown and the sprawling university grounds.
The heartbeat of the campus is The Grove, a 10-acre shaded lawn that transforms into a hallowed, elaborate tailgating site on football Saturdays—a cultural ritual that students and alumni consistently cite as a defining experience. The pervasive "Hotty Toddy" cheer is more than a slogan; it's a social glue. Beyond football, student life is enriched by countless clubs and activities, making it easy to find a community. The overall vibe, as noted by students, is vibrant and connection-oriented, where the social opportunities are a major draw alongside the academics.
The outcomes picture at Ole Miss reflects its role as an accessible flagship. The six-year graduation rate is 72%, a figure that places it in the top 30% of colleges nationally. This rate, however, varies significantly by residency, with much higher rates for some cohorts (non-resident cohorts have shown rates as high as 92.8%) and lower rates for others, illustrating the diverse pathways of its student body.
For those who graduate, the financial payoff is solid. Data shows earnings of $42,857 one year after graduation, rising to $56,853 five years out. These figures indicate strong career placement, particularly for graduates of its renowned professional programs, and represent a significant return on the university's relatively low .
Affordability is a central pillar of the Ole Miss value proposition. The average net price after aid is $13,314. A significant 44.16% of students receive financial aid, with the average aid package totaling $15,661. The university offers a full range of aid options—scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study—and determines need through the standard FAFSA process.
While Ole Miss does not advertise a universal "no-loan" policy that meets 100% of need for all students, it does participate in state programs like Mississippi's HELP (Higher Ed Legislative Plan), which provides tuition assistance based on demonstrated need. The university also has institutional initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility; for example, it has expanded financial aid offerings for families with incomes up to $40,000. The overall financial model is designed to keep debt manageable, making a flagship education reachable for Mississippi residents and a comparative bargain for out-of-state students.
Ole Miss stands out for its potent, almost paradoxical combination of deep tradition and surprising academic value. It is not a place of cutthroat selectivity at the gate, but rather a public university that fulfills its mission of broad access while cultivating pockets of elite excellence. You come for the quintessential, spirited Southern college experience—the Grove, Oxford's literary charm, the relentless friendliness—but you can stay for a degree from a School of Accountancy or Pharmacy that commands national respect.
This duality defines it. It’s where the graduation rate tells a complex story of serving a wide spectrum of students, and where the median earnings demonstrate that those who leverage its best programs launch prosperous careers. Ultimately, Ole Miss offers a compelling package: a vibrant, tradition-soaked campus life, a solid and affordable education, and a direct pipeline to top-tier professional schools, all wrapped up with a hearty "Hotty Toddy."