MC named among nation’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report

CLINTON, Miss. — U.S. News & World Report has named Mississippi Christian University (MC) the state’s highest-ranked private university.

The 2027 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, released Sept. 22, evaluated more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.

In U.S. News’ 2027 Top Private Colleges listing, MC ranked first in the state and 160 nationally. In the National Universities list, MC ranked 342 — an improvement of 16 slots from its 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking. MC has consistently been included on U.S. News’ Best National Universities list for more than a decade.

MC President Blake Thompson attributed MC’s high ranking to the faculty and staff’s “outstanding commitment” to the University’s students, families, alumni and friends.

“Being recognized by a nationally known organization like U.S. News for being among the best colleges in the country is a tribute to their commitment to the institution’s mission,” Thompson said. “In the University’s Bicentennial year, our faculty and staff continue to build on MC’s strong foundation as an institution dedicated to academic excellence and committed to the cause of Christ.”

MC students echoed Thompson’s sentiments.

“MC is known for its academic excellence,” said Mac Roberts, a nursing major from Brookhaven, “but the deciding factor for me was the community. The people at MC felt like home.”

Rosalie Ernest, an accounting major from Ft. Worth, Texas, said of all the universities she applied to, MC made her feel the most wanted.

“The tour was so intentional and personal, and my admissions counselor was with me every step of the way, praying over my college search even before I had decided on MC,” she said. “I knew that it would be a place I could grow and flourish as I lived away from home for the first time.”

Aidan Castillo, a kinesiology major from Gulfport, said MC faculty and staff strive to put Christ at the center of everything they do.

“The teachers want to make connections with you,” he said. “You’re not just another number here — they strive to get to know you as a person outside of the classroom.”

U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities. The rankings, which date back to 1983, offer detailed information on the institutions and data on factors such as graduation rates and postgraduate earnings.

“Higher education is an investment in a student’s future, and we’re proud to recognize the institutions that continue to raise the bar for academic excellence,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News. “The Best Colleges rankings celebrate schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to student success, providing prospective families with a roadmap to discover high-performing institutions that align with their specific academic, career and personal goals.”

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people each month. Learn more at usnews.com.