Millsaps College

Millsaps College opened its doors in 1890 in Jackson, Mississippi's capital, thanks to a $50,000 donation from Major Reuben Webster Millsaps, a Methodist businessman and Confederate veteran who envisioned a rigorous Christian-affiliated but non-sectarian school. With just 748 undergraduates, it draws students who crave personalized attention and a close-knit community over sprawling campuses. You will find professors who know your name from day one, and the school's personality shines through in its emphasis on honor, ethics, and Southern hospitality.

The campus sits in a leafy residential neighborhood on the edge of downtown Jackson, blending quiet green spaces with easy access to the city's museums and music venues. Students who thrive here value meaningful discussions and regional roots, often from the South, but the small size means fewer peers for niche interests and a social circle that forms quickly. Tradeoffs include Jackson's hot, humid summers that keep many indoors during breaks and a higher tuition typical of private liberal arts schools without massive endowments.