Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Columbus, Mississippi
100% Acceptance Rate
Mississippi University for Women — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
100%Acceptance Rate
3.49Avg GPA
1050Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$21,808Annual Cost
$46,128Grad Salary
41.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
100%
Avg GPA
3.49
Avg SAT
1050
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1080
ACT Middle 50%
18–23
Avg Net Price
$13,198
Need-Based Aid
41.6% receive Pell
Mississippi University for Women is a public institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and providing opportunities for students of all genders. Admissions are selective, focusing on academic rigor and preparedness. The university seeks motivated students who want to thrive in a small, supportive, and academically focused environment. Applicants should highlight their commitment to personal growth and their career aspirations.
Mississippi University for Women Acceptance Rate
Mississippi University for Women (MUW) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 100% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.49 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.29 – 3.48
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.04
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Mississippi University for Women Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Mississippi University for Women is December 15 for Spring applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 126 days left — Spring
Spring
December 15
Fall Priority
April 1
Fall Final
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
MUW GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MUW is 3.49. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.19–3.49 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.69–3.89.MUW GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.49 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.29 – 3.48
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.09 – 3.28
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.08
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Offers a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts through its Culinary Arts Institute - an unusual offering for a small public liberal arts university.
- Gordy Honors College includes a Residential Honors Program with undergraduate research grants and regional/national conference opportunities, layered on top of general admission.
- Founded in 1884 as the first public women's college in the United States; became coeducational in 1982 following Mississippi University for Women v. Hogan.
- Men have made up roughly 23% of the student body in recent years; founding traditions and honor societies (Torch and Lantern) still shape campus culture.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at MUW
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Mississippi University for Women's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Mississippi University for Women (MUW) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if MUW is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into MUW Without SAT or ACT?
MUW considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Mississippi University for Women Average SAT Score: 1050
The average SAT score of admitted students at Mississippi University for Women is 1050 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1050 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1080 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Mississippi University for Women allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1010, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at MUW. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1050 | 1010 | 1080 |
Below 1010, you're behind most admitted students; at 1080 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Mississippi University for Women (MUW) with a 1100 SAT?
A 1100 SAT puts you ahead of most of MUW's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Mississippi University for Women (MUW) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at MUW is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 19 | 16 | 22 |
| ACT English | 20 | 17 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 18 | 23 |
Can I get into Mississippi University for Women with a 23 ACT?
A 23 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of MUW's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at MUW.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MUW
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into MUW is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Leverage the Culinary Arts Institute for a Distinctive Credential
MUW's Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts is unusual for a small public liberal arts university. Students interested in culinary/hospitality careers should ask specifically about kitchen/lab facilities and industry placement partnerships - this sets MUW apart from typical liberal arts-only public universities of its size.
Apply Directly to the Gordy Honors College's Residential Program
This includes undergraduate research grant opportunities, regional/national conference attendance, and a dedicated residential component. Apply to this specifically - don't assume strong grades alone secure the enhanced experience, since it functions as a distinct application layered on top of general admission.
Understand the Historical/Legal Background Around Nursing Admission Accurately
MUW's nursing school was the subject of the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case Mississippi University for Women v. Hogan, which required the university to open all programs to qualified male applicants. Nursing admission is now fully coeducational - students researching this history for essays or context should rely on accurate, dated information rather than secondhand summaries.
Recognize the "First Public Women's College" Legacy Still Shapes Culture
Though MUW has admitted men since 1982 (about 23% of the student body in recent years), founding traditions, honor societies (Torch and Lantern), and campus culture still carry this historical identity. Students of any gender should understand this living tradition when evaluating cultural fit, rather than assuming it operates like a typical fully coeducational public university.
Expert Insight:
Because MUW transitioned from a single-sex to coeducational institution via a landmark Supreme Court ruling specifically involving its nursing program, prospective nursing applicants researching the program's history should rely on accurate, dated information rather than assuming current admission policy reflects the university's original single-sex mission.
MUW Profile
Full Name
Mississippi University for Women (MUW)
City
Columbus
State
Mississippi
ZIP Code
39701
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a MUW Degree Worth It?
At $21,808/year against a $46,128 median graduate salary, MUW is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $43,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.4%.
How much does a degree from MUW Cost?
The sticker price is $21,808/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $13,198.
41.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 40.9% take federal loans at MUW. File your FAFSA early and list MUW as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a MUW Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,128. That's about 14% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Mississippi University for Women. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville, GA | 1037 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Mississippi University for Women. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Mississippi University for Women. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at MUW
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MUW Admissions
Median earnings for Mississippi University for Women graduates sit around $46,128 a year.
At about $21,808 a year, Mississippi University for Women is on the more affordable end.
About 41.6% receive a Pell Grant at Mississippi University for Women. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 100%, Mississippi University for Women's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Mississippi University for Women average a 3.49 GPA.
Mississippi University for Women doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.19 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.09, Mississippi University for Women becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Mississippi University for Women — aim above 1050, ideally within the 1010–1080 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Mississippi University for Women is December 15 for Spring applicants.
The application fee is 25. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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