“Distinguished.” “Top-Tier.” “Best Value.”
These are just a few of the words that have been used to describe Millsaps College. We have built a reputation of excellence through our mission and provide our students with the path to success in career and life.
Our History (link to full history on standalone About Millsaps page)
Millsaps College was established in 1890 as “a Christian college within the borders of our state.”
The Millsaps legacy began with a personal gift from Major Reuben Webster Millsaps and contributions from the Mississippi Methodists. Major Millsaps, born in Pleasant Valley, Mississippi in 1833, possessed a lifelong love of learning and an unshakeable respect for education. However, he saw a lack of opportunity for higher education in his home state of Mississippi. After studying in Indiana and at the Harvard University Law School, Major Millsaps pursued interests in business, finance and church leadership. In 1890, he donated $50,000 toward the creation of the college that would bear his name and provide a liberal arts education to students seeking a higher level of scholarship.
Over a century later, the Millsaps community of students, faculty, administration and alumni continue to pursue academic excellence after the Major’s example.
College: Four-year, private, national liberal arts college founded in 1890 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church; Mississippi’s first Phi Beta Kappa chapter
Location: Jackson, MS, capital city of Mississippi with a tri-county metro area population of 591,000 people; three hours from Memphis, TN, New Orleans and the MS Gulf Coast
Enrollment Fall 2021: 697 undergraduate students; 35 graduate students
Student academic profile: 33% in top 10th of high school class, 86% in top 50% of high school class; ACT middle 50% score: 23-29 ACT (Natl avg: 20.7); 87% above a 3.0 cumulative GPA in high school
Faculty: 97 full-time, 94% with Ph.D. or equivalent
Student/faculty ratio: 9:1
Average class size: 14
Majors: 33 undergraduate majors, 47 minors, 5 pathways programs; Master of Business Administration, Master of Accounting
Top 5 Majors, Class of 2021: Business Administration, Biology, Psychology, Government & Politics, Accounting
Post-graduation: 95% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school six months after graduation
Medical School Acceptance Rate for Millsaps Graduates: nearly 40% above the national average; guaranteed admission to William Carey School of Osteopathic Medicine
Residence Options: 86% of students live in college-owned co-ed and single-sex housing, including nine traditional residence halls and five fraternity houses
Campus: 100 acres encompassing academic and student resource centers, a Campus Life Complex and areas for recreation throughout
Facilities: Physical Activities Center, Student Life Center, Writing Center, Wesson Health Center, Christian Center, Millsaps-Wilson Library, Visual Arts Center, computer labs, rehearsal halls, research and language labs
Clubs & organizations: More than 50 student organizations; 12 Greek Life Organizations, including: three National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapters, four National Panhellenic Council Chapters and five Interfraternity Council Chapters; first Phi Beta Kappa chapter in the state
Athletics: 48.1% of students participate in intercollegiate athletics.
NCAA Division III, Southern Athletic Association: baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field for men; and basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and track and field for women
Adult Programs: 60 noncredit courses for adults through the Community Enrichment Series
Financial aid:
Academic consortium: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Major Accreditations: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, American Chemical Society, American Association of University Women, University Senate of the United Methodist Church