University of Mississippi (UM, Ole Miss) Academics and Unique Programs

Academics

The University of Mississippi was chartered by the Mississippi Legislature in 1844, opening its doors to just 80 original students in 1848. Also known as Ole Miss, the main campus covers more than 1,000 acres in Oxford, Mississippi. It offers a number of academic and vocational degree programs and boasts 25 Rhode Scholars since its opening. It is organized into several schools and colleges, including the College of Liberal Arts, the Graduate School, and Schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Law, Pharmacy, and Journalism and New Media.

This public university is one of the premier educational institutions of the South. The undergraduate and graduate education offered by the University of Mississippi Main Campus is the choice of over 15,000 students each year – the majority of which are from the state of Mississippi. The most popular fields of study at Ole Miss are Elementary Education, Accounting, Business Administration, Psychology and Law. Nevertheless, there are several other programs available.

The University of Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Apart from its educational programs, it is also noted for its extensive research facilities and its libraries, which house 1.3 million volumes and 12,300 current periodicals and serial subscriptions.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Information Summary

Ranks 2nd in Mississippi and 379th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	88.8
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$25,436
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	29 / 1270
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	85% / 63%
Enrollment Total (all students)	22,456

Unique Programs

This historic Mississippi school is perhaps most notable for its traditions and history. Rooted not only in the American educational history but also in the culture and society of the South, Ole Miss is closely tied to its past.

Its traditions and histories are manifested in a number of ways. The university is the home of the largest blues music archive in the United States – a throwback to the popularity of the music in the South. Many of the contributions of the collection were donated by BB King, one of the blues greats.

And not necessarily a part of the school’s past but instead a notable aspect of its history is the issue of desegregation. Desegregation arrived at the University of Mississippi in the early 1960s when U.S. Air Force veteran James Meredith won a lawsuit that allowed him admission to the University of Mississippi in 1962. Rioting and protests ensued. And though today the issue of desegregation is a thing of the past at Ole Miss, its existence at one time is representative of the school’s deep ties to the Southern culture that surrounded it.

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Admissions

Currently, 73% of all applicants to the University of Mississippi Main Campus are admitted, including both new and transfer students. Depending upon the program to which students are applying, admissions policies vary.

Incoming freshmen, for example, are asked to complete a College Preparatory Curriculum, maintain a specific GPA and earn minimum scores on SAT and ACT examinations. Early admission is also available to superior secondary students.

Those interested in applying to Ole Miss, however, are best off consulting the Admissions office to learn the specific details and requirements of each program.

Financial Aid

The quality education of the University of Mississippi Main Campus does come at a somewhat significant economic cost. Luckily, the institution works hand-in-hand with its students to ensure their abilities to afford attendance. Financial Aid at the University of Mississippi Main Campus is available in the form of scholarships, grants, work study and loans.

Students are encouraged to fill out a FAFSA form before proceeding – an application that can be obtained at the financial aid office. This form can be submitted from January 1st to March 15th. From September through March, general scholarship applications must be completed, but students should note other important dates including a February 1st Entering Freshman Competitive Scholarship application deadline and a June 15th deadline of Parent Loan applications. A full list of deadlines can be found on the Ole Miss Financial Aid website.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 1479th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Mississippi.

Athletics

The University of Mississippi Main Campus has a popular and competitive athletics program. The Ole Miss Rebels compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA’s Division One. The cardinal red and navy blue colors the athletes sport mirror the school colors of Harvard and Yale.

Today, Ole Miss competes in 18 men’s and women’s sports. Its student-athletes are honored as scholars and leaders, cheered on in the victories in football, baseball, basketball, volleyball and more.

Ole Miss’ major athletic rivals are the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the LSU Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks. At games against these teams and other, students sing the school’s fight song “Forward Rebels” as well as its other unofficial fight song “Dixie.”

University of Mississippi