Acceptance Rate
60%
Avg. SAT
1010
75th percentile
“Historic HBCU that fueled civil rights movements from a serene Mississippi plantation-turned-campus.”
Tougaloo, MS
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
Tougaloo College traces its roots to 1869, when the American Missionary Association founded it on a former plantation to educate freedpeople in the wake of emancipation. This legacy as one of Mississippi's oldest HBCUs shapes its identity, with the campus serving as a launchpad for pivotal civil rights actions, including student-led protests that challenged segregation in the 1960s. Students who thrive here often seek a tight-knit community where personal connections matter, embracing a resilient spirit tied to activism and service.
Nestled on 500 wooded acres in rural Tougaloo, just north of Jackson, the college offers a peaceful setting with magnolia-lined paths and historic buildings. You'll find a student body drawn to the intimate scale, where professors know your name and classmates become family. The surrounding area's low cost of living keeps expenses down, but the rural location means you'll drive 15 minutes for Jackson's shops and restaurants, trading urban buzz for focused campus life.
Photo Gallery
+5
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
Test-optional schools still weigh strong scores. Submitting can help.
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Classes at Tougaloo emphasize discussion and mentorship in a liberal arts framework, with majors like education, business, biology, and mass communications drawing strong enrollment. You'll sit in seminars of 15-20 students, where faculty weave civil rights history into subjects from literature to sociology, fostering critical thinking rooted in real-world impact. The small size supports individualized advising, though popular majors may fill quickly, and advanced research opportunities remain limited compared to larger universities.
Education stands out, preparing graduates for teaching in underserved communities, while sciences benefit from updated labs for hands-on experiments. Intellectual life buzzes through guest lectures from activists and scholars, but expect some core courses in larger lecture formats during peak enrollment.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,286 undergrad • 15 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
1%
Black / African American
90%
Hispanic / Latino
2%
Asian
<1%
Other / Multi-racial
7%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Tougaloo, MS
Varsity Athletics
Campus pulses with HBCU energy—think step shows, Greek life from nine organizations, and the acclaimed Tougaloo Choir performing spirituals that echo the school's heritage. A typical week mixes classes with Bible study, intramural sports, and Thursday night gatherings at the student union, culminating in weekend cookouts or trips to Jackson. Most students live on campus in residence halls like Whiters or Bowen, building bonds through hall events and required freshmen housing.
Traditions like the annual Founder's Day celebration honor civil rights pioneers, creating a sense of purpose amid the humid Mississippi weather, where summers demand air-conditioned relief. The rural vibe keeps social life campus-centered, with fewer off-campus options than city schools, but Jackson's proximity offers escapes to museums and minor league baseball.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
NCAA
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$8,058
$30K – $48K
$11,205
$48K – $75K
$13,227
$75K – $110K
$15,840
$110K+
$16,173
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
83%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$34,724
83% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Tougaloo College and return in the fall.
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Tougaloo, MS 39174
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