COLUMBUS-Mississippi University for Women, Millsaps College and Belhaven College are among Mississippi schools lauded in U.S. News & World Report in the magazine’s annual college guide. This is the second consecutive year the magazine named MUW the best value among all Southern master’s universities. It is the sixth time in nine years the university has been ranked a best value or best buy.
Mississippi College in Clinton was ranked No. 32 among the best master’s universities in the South. MC was also listed ninth in the top 15 universities in the South as a best buy.
In Jackson, Millsaps College was ranked 20th among national liberal arts colleges considered “great schools at great prices.” Millsaps has been named to the best value list since 1998.
Parents and prospective collegians often turn to the magazine’s rankings and other guides as they size up college choices. The publication looks at graduation rates, class size, average ACT scores, alumni giving, and campus costs.
Seeing a strong rating for Millsaps in the U.S News & World Report guide a few years ago “helped me make a decision to apply to go there,” said Millsaps junior David McRae, 20, of Birmingham, a history major. “The visit was what decided it for me,” McRae said.
Among other institutions ranked, Belhaven College is listed in the guide among the “best comprehensive colleges” at the bachelor’s degree level in the South. Belhaven ranks fifth in that category on diversity; 36 percent of its students are African American.
The U.S. News & World Report guide lists seven other Mississippi universities, including Mississippi State and Jackson State, and other private colleges, including William Carey and Tougaloo.
MSU, the University of Mississippi and University of Southern Mississippi are listed in the magazine’s third tier as national doctoral universities.