Mississippi College, founded in 1826, is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Mississippi and maintains a strong commitment to the Christian faith. Nestled in Clinton, just a short drive from the state capital of Jackson, the college boasts a picturesque campus enriched with historical architecture and modern facilities that support a well-rounded educational experience. With a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs, Mississippi College is particularly noted for its strong emphasis on liberal arts education, business, education, law, and health sciences. The college encourages a close-knit community where students and faculty engage in a collaborative learning environment, fostering critical thinking and ethical decision-making.

With a rich campus culture, Mississippi College emphasizes Christian values while promoting a sense of community among its students. The college motto, "Veritas," meaning "truth," reflects its commitment to academic integrity and the pursuit of knowledge grounded in strong moral foundations. Students enjoy a vibrant campus life with numerous clubs, organizations, and recreational activities that cater to a wide range of interests, from academic societies to sports and arts. Additionally, the campus features excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, a well-resourced library, and athletic complexes, which support both educational and extracurricular pursuits. With a focus on student success, Mississippi College has a strong track record of graduates finding fulfilling employment and making significant contributions to their communities, embodying the values instilled in them during their education.

Analysis of Tuition Trends and Graduation Rates

The data reveals a significant growth in tuition fees over the past decade. Starting from $14,868 in 2014, the tuition for in-state undergraduate students has steadily increased to $21,698 in 2024, marking an increase of approximately 46% in a span of ten years. This escalating cost is a growing concern for many families, particularly as incomes have not seen a corresponding increase at the same rate. The financial burden can deter potential students from pursuing higher education, which is especially troubling given the recent trends showing fluctuating enrollment rates. For instance, the student population declined from a peak of 3,242 in 2018 to 2,396 in 2023, despite a brief recovery projected for 2024.

Graduation rates, however, have shown promising improvement. The on-time graduation rate jumped from around 34% in 2014 to approximately 52% in 2023, nearing a critical threshold of 50%. The 150% graduation rate, which indicates how many students graduate within six years, also displays a favorable trend, climbing from about 51% to 65% over the same period. This improvement can be attributed to various retention strategies that the institution may have implemented, as the retention rate has remained relatively stable around 77% to 80% in recent years.

While improvements in graduation rates are encouraging, the persistent rise in tuition costs highlights a significant dilemma faced by educational institutions: balancing affordability with quality education. The rising expenses combined with decreasing enrollment figures may signal that prospective students are increasingly weighing the cost-to-value equation before committing to an expensive education. Addressing these issues will be crucial for sustaining enrollment and ensuring that educational opportunities remain accessible to all.

Analysis of Graduates by Major at Mississippi College

The data from Mississippi College offers a comprehensive overview of graduates across various programs in 2023, highlighting notable trends and demographics within their educational framework. The most striking statistic is the number of graduates in the Law discipline, which produced 116 doctoral degrees. This indicates a strong focus and success in training legal professionals, likely reflecting the growing demand for legal expertise in an increasingly complex society.

Conversely, the fields of registered nursing and education show absence of graduating doctoral or master's degrees, which may suggest insufficient program offerings at the graduate level or a recent emphasis on undergraduate education within these fields. For instance, the registered nursing program boasts a total of 96 bachelor's graduates but lacks any international representation, potentially indicating a challenge in attracting international students in healthcare fields, where cultural integrative skills are crucial.

The absence of graduates in several disciplines, particularly the arts and certain sciences, implies potential gaps in curriculum offerings or declining interest in these academic areas. Invested efforts may be necessary to rejuvenate these programs to foster a well-rounded educational environment that appeals to a diverse student body.

Overall, while Mississippi College showcases its strengths, particularly in law and nursing, it may need to reevaluate its offerings in underrepresented areas to attract a broader spectrum of students and meet workforce needs in various industries. This analysis underscores the importance of adaptive educational strategies in enhancing enrollment and graduation rates across all programs.

Analysis of Mississippi College Admission Trends

The admission data for Mississippi College presents a notable trend over the years, especially with the latest ranking for 2025 at 359. This reflects a modest improvement from the previous year’s rank of 369, indicating a gradual recovery in its reputation among U.S. colleges. In terms of admission rates, there is a significant fluctuation throughout the years. The male admission rate peaked in 2016 at approximately 82%, and there has been a steady decline since then. In contrast, the female admission rate has shown a less volatile pattern, with a steady decline observed from a high of 83% in 2016 to about 48% in 2024. This disparity hints at shifts in gender dynamics within the applicant pool and may suggest changing strategies in recruitment and retention efforts specific to each gender. The enrollment numbers demonstrate irregularity, peaking in 2024 with a total of 674 new students. However, this year also saw a considerable number of denied applications (1695), showcasing the competitive nature of the admissions process. Despite the high number of denials, the college appears to be making adjustments, as evidenced by the increase in admitted students who deferred enrollment. This may point towards a strategic move to bolster future classes amidst fluctuating rankings. Overall, while Mississippi College faces challenges, its recent ranking improvement suggests there are efforts to refine its admissions strategy and enhance its appeal as an educational institution. The ongoing shifts in both gender admission rates and overall enrollment numbers will be crucial to monitor in the coming years as the college seeks to stabilize its standing.

Trends in Admission Test Scores at Mississippi College

The analysis of Mississippi College's admission test scores reveals interesting trends over the years from 2007 to 2024. Throughout this period, the range of SAT reading scores demonstrates a general increase in the lower and upper quartile scores, with variations that may reflect changing applicant demographics and academic standards. For example, the lower quartile score has risen from 460 in 2008 to 600 starting from 2021, indicating an elevation in the baseline academic preparedness of incoming students.

Conversely, the percentage of students submitting SAT scores has fluctuated, often hovering around the 10% mark. This low percentage may suggest a growing number of applicants are choosing not to submit standardized test scores, possibly influenced by the increasing trend of colleges adopting test-optional policies. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this trend as many institutions adjusted their admissions processes, further emphasizing the importance of holistic review practices.

The ACT scores also show a consistent increase in both the lower and upper quartile achievements, signaling an upward trend in academic ability among accepted applicants. Notably, the submission percentages for ACT scores show variability, complementing the general move toward a more diverse evaluation of student capabilities beyond test scores.

Overall, these data points reflect an evolving landscape in college admissions, where academic performance, as indicated by standardized tests, is increasingly complemented or even supplanted by various measures that assess student potential and readiness for college-level work. This shift represents a broader movement in higher education towards inclusivity and a recognition of varied student experiences.

Analysis of Student Demographics at Mississippi College for 2024

The student body at Mississippi College in 2024 presents a diverse array of demographics across different enrollment types. Notably, the incoming undergraduate freshmen account for the largest group, with a total of 674 students. This cohort shows a significant gender disparity, with 61.3% being female and 38.7% male, indicating a growing trend of female students pursuing higher education.

The undergraduate continuing students, numbering 1,445, maintain a similar gender distribution, although there is a slight increase in the male percentage to 41.5%. This trend might reflect broader national statistics that show women increasingly outnumbering men in college enrollment.

Interestingly, the undergraduate transfer students exhibit a more balanced gender distribution than their peers, with 46.7% identifying as male and 53.3% as female. This suggests that transfer students may come from more diverse backgrounds or institutions that support a different gender dynamic.

Graduate students, totaling 1,381, reflect the highest percentage of female enrollment at 66.1%. Such data underscores the ongoing shift in graduate studies where women often pursue advanced degrees at higher rates than men.

Overall, the demographic breakdown not only highlights gender diversity but also hints at evolving trends in educational preferences and opportunities across various ethnic groups. The representation of different racial and ethnic backgrounds among these students reveals ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity in academia. Engaging with and understanding these dynamics is crucial for Mississippi College as it seeks to foster an environment that supports all students' educational journeys.

Analysis of Student Age Composition at Mississippi College

The age distribution of students at Mississippi College reveals notable trends in the demographic makeup of the student body. The largest segment, comprising students aged 18-19, showcases a robust community of young learners, with over 1,028 individuals. This indicates a significant influx of fresh talent, likely influenced by the college's appeal to new high school graduates.

Interestingly, the transition to the 20-21 age group shows a slight decrease in male enrollment but a rise in female participation, suggesting an increasing trend of female students continuing their education. The age group of 22-24 reflects a diverse scenario too, with a balance in both male and female postgraduate studies, pointing towards a possible shift in educational pursuits beyond undergraduate programs.

The data for older age categories, particularly those aged between 25-29 and 30-34, highlights the presence of non-traditional students who are often juggling work and family responsibilities while seeking further education. These demographics can enrich the learning environment by providing varied perspectives, but they also raise questions about the college's support systems for adult learners.

Moreover, the representation of students over 50 remains minimal, which reflects a broader national trend where higher education is predominantly pursued by younger individuals. The slight increase in female students in these older age brackets, however, might suggest growing acceptance of lifelong learning initiatives among women.

Overall, Mississippi College appears to maintain a dynamic and varied student age demographic, which can foster an enriching educational environment. Understanding these trends can help the institution better tailor its programs and support services to meet the needs of its diverse student body.

Analysis of International Student Enrollment at Mississippi College

The data reflecting international student enrollment at Mississippi College over the years offers insight into shifting trends in higher education. From 2005 to 2024, the number of undergraduate international students has seen some fluctuations. Initially, the percentage of international students in the undergraduate population remained low, only reaching 0.58% in 2005. However, by 2015, this figure peaked at 5.73%, marking a significant rise in international representation on campus.

The graduate student enrollment tells a different story. While there were increases in the absolute numbers of international graduate students, the percentages fluctuated more dramatically, peaking at 14.81% in 2016. This suggests a consistent interest from international applicants at the graduate level, even as the overall number of students appears to be declining in more recent years.

The decline in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment in the years following 2018 may correlate with various factors affecting international education, such as travel restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, changing immigration policies, and the global economic landscape, which affects students' ability to study abroad. The dip in new enrollments during these years, specifically in 2021 and 2022, also indicates the broader challenges faced by many institutions in maintaining international student diversity.

As Mississippi College moves forward, it may benefit from strategic marketing and support tailored specifically to attract and retain international students, ensuring that it continues to foster a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Here’s a brief introduction to some notable colleges and universities near Mississippi College:

1. Vanderbilt University - Ranked 18th in the 2025 US News rankings, Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in education, medicine, and law.

2. Tulane University - With a ranking of 63, Tulane, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, offers a diverse array of programs and is known for its commitment to research and community service.

3. University of Alabama at Birmingham - This institution ranks 136th and is notable for its medical and health-related programs, contributing significantly to research and patient care.

4. Loyola University New Orleans - Ranked 244th, Loyola emphasizes a liberal arts education grounded in Jesuit values, with a strong focus on social justice and service.

5. Rhodes College - A liberal arts college with a ranking of 59, Rhodes is situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It is known for its rigorous academic standards and beautiful campus.

These institutions provide a variety of academic environments and programs to choose from, making the region rich in higher education opportunities.

Trends in Campus Crime at Mississippi College

The crime statistics at Mississippi College over the years reveal some interesting trends and concerns regarding campus safety. Starting in 2013, there was a notable spike in the crime rate, recording 8.75 incidents per 1,000 students, with a total of 44 reported offenses. This figure drastically decreased in 2014 to just 1.30, indicating an improvement in campus safety measures or a significant drop in incidents. However, fluctuations continued in the following years, with several peaks and troughs.

In 2018, the rate rose again to 3.97, but the overall trend from 2013 onward suggests a general decline in reported incidents. By 2022, the rate climbed back up to 4.61 and has slightly decreased again in 2023 to 3.19. Notably, the figures for weapons arrests and drug-related incidents may reflect heightened awareness about these issues on campuses across the nation, considering that similar patterns have been observed in other institutions.

Furthermore, incidents of assault, domestic violence, and stalking have raised significant concern for college safety. These crimes underline the importance of informed and educated attitudes towards personal safety among students, as well as proactive measures by college administrations. With growing awareness and advocacy surrounding campus safety, it is essential for institutions like Mississippi College to continuously adapt and implement effective strategies to ensure the well-being of their students. For calculating crime rates, you can refer to more information here: https://www.forwardpathway.com/33447.