Millsaps charges tuition and fees of $36,054 per year for both in- and out-of-state residents, making it the most expensive college in Mississippi. For that price, the school provides an average class size of only 15 and a scenic 100-acre campus in the heart of Jackson, the capital city of Mississippi with a population of 500,000. The student body consists of about 1,100 men and women from 27 states and 24 countries. The college is associated with the United Methodist Church and spearheads a "Faith & Work" initiative that allows students to explore their personal and professional futures in relation to ethics, values, faith and the common good.
Belhaven's tuition and fees cost $28,890 per year for all enrollees, landing it in second place for most expensive college in Mississippi. The school is a Christian liberal arts college with a strong grounding in the values of the Presbyterian Church. In fact, Belhaven was owned and operated by the Synod of Mississippi until 1972. Like Millsaps, the school is located in the heart of Jackson on a sprawling wooded campus. Along with liberal arts offerings in the humanities and sciences, undergraduates also can major in business, education, or in the division of ministry and human services.
USM charges annual tuition and fees of $26,230 for out-of-state residents, making it the third most expensive school in Mississippi. Southern Miss has campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach in addition to six other teaching and research sites in the state. The school offers undergraduate degrees in the humanities, business, education, and scientific fields. It has a student body of over 17,000 from all 50 states and 70 countries.
Although colleges list a standard cost for tuition and fees, the actual amount is determined by the institution's financial aid office. For certain students, scholarships may be available to defray tuition expenses. Additionally, the interest rates of available college loans determines the total cost of an undergraduate education.