For the 2026 school year, there are 249 private schools serving 55,136 students in Mississippi (there are 1,038 public schools, serving 440,091 students). 11% of all K-12 students in Mississippi attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $11,063 for elementary schools and $11,593 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Mississippi include St. Joseph Catholic School, Presbyterian Christian School, and Holy Child Jesus School.
The average acceptance rate is 86% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 19% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (MS)
US
# Schools
249 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
55,136 Students
5,709,187 Students
% Average Students of Color
19%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
4,488 Teachers
507,757 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
47%
55%
Average Class Size
15 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
11 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1315
(Out of 1600)
1233
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$11,704
$15,012
Average Summer Program Cost
$174
$1,152
Average % on Financial Aid
26%
34%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,631
$7,073
Average Acceptance Rate
86%
81%
Average Endowment Size
$57.07 million
$60.79 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.65
# American Indian Students
93 Students
30,181 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,695 Students
265,374 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
1,230 Students
508,007 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
9%
# Black Students
5,467 Students
417,245 Students
% Black Students
9%
7%
# White Students
41,492 Students
2,938,314 Students
% White Students
70%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
34 Students
22,255 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
9,395 Students
1,471,961 Students
% of Others Students
16%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Mississippi Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Fondren (3 schools), Belhaven (2 schools), Capitol Neighbors (1 schools), Queens Magnolia Terrace (1 schools), Greenbrook (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Mississippi?
The top-ranked private schools in Mississippi include St. Joseph Catholic School, Presbyterian Christian School, and Holy Child Jesus School.
How many private schools are located in Mississippi?
There are 249 private schools are located in Mississippi.
How much do private schools cost in Mississippi?
The average private school tuition in Mississippi is $11,063 for elementary schools and $11,593 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Mississippi?
Approximately 19% of students in Mississippi private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Mississippi go to private school?
11% of all K-12 students in Mississippi attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Mississippi?
Which private schools in Mississippi are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Mississippi include: Genesis One Christian School vs. Simpson County Academy, St. Johns Day School vs. Laurel Christian School, Starkville Christian School vs. Starkville Academy
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