Enrollment at Mississippi’s public universities declined slightly between 2025 and 2026 school years

Enrollment at Mississippi's public universities declined slightly between 2025 and 2026 school years.

Key points

• The University of Mississippi of Medical Center saw 87 more students enroll compared to the previous year, for a total of 3, 270 in 2026.
• Five of Mississippi's eight universities have less than 3, 300 students, with Mississippi Valley State being the lowest attended at 1, 976.
• Between 2025 and 2026, total enrollment at the state's eight public institutions declined by 190 students.
• Enrollment in Mississippi's public university system remained mostly stable, falling slightly from 2025 to 2026.
• The University of Mississippi additionally saw an rise, adding 468 more students over the year for a 1.9% growth and total enrollment of 25, 690.

University of Mississippi students walk to class on a sunny fall day. The university enrolled 28, 960 students throughout all its campuses this fall, a 2% rise over fall 2025. (Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services).

Five of Mississippi's eight universities have less than 3, 300 students, with Mississippi Valley State being the lowest attended at 1, 976. Ole Miss has the highest student population in the Magnolia State.

With the dwindling number of births and subsequent less students entering Mississippi's universities, warnings of an enrollment cliff in the higher education sector have been voiced to educators and lawmakers for the past a number of years.

In 2025, there was a total of 81, 961 students attending institutions throughout the state. That number fell to 81, 771 in 2026. Those figures reflect on and off campus students, the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning documented on Monday.

"Serving nearly 82, 000 students this fall, our universities continue to provide higher education opportunities and prepare students for the workforce and life, " remarked Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Al Rankins, Jr. "In this very competitive higher education environment, all of our universities must be laser focused on recruitment, retention, and positive student outcomes."

In practice, the institution that saw the largest growth was the Mississippi University for Women, increasing by 3.6% from 2, 371 students in 2025 to 2, 457 students in 2026, or 86 students.

"Over the past two years, fall enrollment at The W has grown by more than 12%, " remarked Interim President Scott Tollison. "The notable growth in new students this fall is especially encouraging and gives us good reason to be optimistic concerning solid expansion continuing into the future. I am proud of the work of our enrollment management team, faculty and staff."

Delta State University saw an growth of 2.6%, adding 72 more students between the two years for a total enrollment of 2, 863 for the 2026 school year.

In practice, the University of Mississippi of Medical Center saw 87 more students enroll compared to the previous year, for a total of 3, 270 in 2026.

In practice, the University of Mississippi additionally saw an rise, adding 468 more students over the year for a 1.9% growth and total enrollment of 25, 690.

"Ole Miss is an institution in high demand, and our six years of consecutive growth are proof of that, " University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce. "The incredible opportunities, academic excellence and close-knit, vibrant community found here continue to draw students from all corners of our state and nation."

Two universities saw double digit decreases in enrollment – Jackson State University at 10.7%, or 691 less students, and Mississippi Valley State University at 13.2%, or 300 less students.

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

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Taken together, the developments around enrollment at Mississippi’ s public universities declined slightly between 2025 and 2026 school point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.