These are the best college campuses in MS for 2026, Niche says. Did any Coast schools make list?
The results for best Mississippi college campuses for 2026 are out, but not a single Coast school made the cut, according to a recent ranking.
The list includes colleges that offer “outstanding campus resources across classrooms, labs, performance venues, housing, food and recreational facilities,” according to Niche, an online platform which grades and ranks schools, colleges and universities.
So, which campuses were the best in the Magnolia State for 2026? Here are the top five, according to the Niche ranking.
1. University of Mississippi
Location: Oxford
Niche Grade: A
Acceptance rate: 97%
Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
2. Mississippi State University
Location: Starkville
Niche Grade: A-
Acceptance rate: 78%
Student to faculty ratio: 16:!
3. University of Southern Mississippi
Location: Hattiesburg
Niche Grade: B+
Acceptance rate: 99%
Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
4. Belhaven University
Location: Jackson
Niche Grade: B
Acceptance rate: 50%
Student to faculty ratio: 6:1
5. Mississippi University for Women
Location: Columbus
Niche Grade: B+
Acceptance rate: 90%
Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
How did Niche conduct ranking?
The ranking uses data from the U.S. Department of Education and is based on key statistics and student reviews, analysts said. The following factors were considered, according to Niche:
- Student surveys on campus quality
- Campus good grade by Niche
- Campus housing grade by Niche
- Local area grade by Niche
- Safety grade
