Sharp SAT prep home

    SAT and ACT in Mississippi

    Mississippi graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1029 on the SAT (2% took it) and 17.8 on the ACT (100% took it). Mississippi has 3 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG), Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) and Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Mississippi's class of 2027 is 211. We cover 9 colleges in Mississippi. For fall 2027, 1 requires the SAT or ACT, 7 require a score only below a GPA cutoff and 1 lets you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1029
    National Merit cutoff
    211
    state scholarships using scores
    3
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    1

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Mississippi

    From the official reports College Board and ACT publish each fall for the graduating class. Compare states with care: an average depends on how many students take the test.

    SATClass of 2026Graduates who took it806Share of the class2%Average1029525 Reading and Writing, 505 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class100%Average17.8National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 806 Mississippi graduates (2% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1029 (525 in Reading and Writing, 505 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 2% of Mississippi's class took the SAT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.

    In the class of 2026, 100% of Mississippi graduates took the ACT and averaged 17.8, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Mississippi student takes the ACT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.

    See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 1050 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

    Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: Mississippi · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in Mississippi high schools

    Every Mississippi public school junior takes the ACT in school, under a state contract.

    Source: Mississippi Department of Education · Checked October 31, 2026

    Mississippi merit scholarships

    State programs for Mississippi residents that count SAT or ACT scores. Each card shows the score and GPA minimums we track; the program's own page has every rule.

    • Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)

      $2,500 a year

      State program · In-state students

      • 3.50+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Entering freshman; first certificate/associate/bachelor's program
      Details

    • Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)

      $500 to $1,000 a year

      State program · In-state students

      • 2.50+ GPA, 15+ ACT, Entering freshman; must NOT be eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant (FAFSA); GED or homeschool alternatives to GPA
      Details

    • Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)

      State program · In-state students

      Tuition and required fees at a public institution; private: average tuition/fees of public 4-year (or 2-year) institutions

      • 2.50+ GPA, 20+ ACT, Graduating high school senior; parents' average AGI <= $42,500 (+$5,000 per additional dependent child under 21); SAI at or below level for a minimum Pell Grant; graduated HS within prior 2 years; apply by Mar 31, documents by Apr 30
      Details

    National Merit in Mississippi

    For the class of 2027, students in Mississippi needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 211 to become National Merit Semifinalists. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.

    Work out your index with the Selection Index calculator, compare states in National Merit cutoffs by state, and see which colleges reward it in colleges with National Merit scholarships.

    Source: NMSC, Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program

    Colleges in Mississippi

    Test policies for fall 2027, and the SAT and ACT scores of the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen. Largest colleges first; each links to its full page.

    University of MississippiUniversityTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate97%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1175ACT, middle 50%21 to 29
    Mississippi State UniversityMississippi StateTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1350ACT, middle 50%21 to 29
    University of Southern MississippiHattiesburgTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 GPAAcceptance rate99%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%20 to 29
    Jackson State UniversityJacksonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%820 to 1070ACT, middle 50%15 to 20
    Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn StateTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate45%SAT, middle 50%670 to 998ACT, middle 50%15 to 19
    William Carey UniversityHattiesburgTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate60%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1290ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Delta State UniversityClevelandTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate100%SAT, middle 50%925 to 1210ACT, middle 50%17 to 23
    Belhaven UniversityJacksonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 GPAAcceptance rate50%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1298ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    Millsaps CollegeJacksonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate43%SAT, middle 50%1025 to 1150ACT, middle 50%21 to 28

    To decide whether to send your score, compare it with each college's range in the submit or retake tool.

    Other states

    See every state, or browse all Mississippi colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Mississippi

    What is the average SAT score in Mississippi?
    In the class of 2026, 806 Mississippi graduates (2% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1029 (525 in Reading and Writing, 505 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 2% of Mississippi's class took the SAT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.
    What is the average ACT score in Mississippi?
    In the class of 2026, 100% of Mississippi graduates took the ACT and averaged 17.8, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Mississippi student takes the ACT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
    Do Mississippi high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every Mississippi public school junior takes the ACT in school, under a state contract.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)?

    The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.50+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Entering freshman; first certificate/associate/bachelor's program
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)?

    The Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 2.50+ GPA, 15+ ACT, Entering freshman; must NOT be eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant (FAFSA); GED or homeschool alternatives to GPA
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)?

    The Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP) counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 2.50+ GPA, 20+ ACT, Graduating high school senior; parents' average AGI <= $42,500 (+$5,000 per additional dependent child under 21); SAI at or below level for a minimum Pell Grant; graduated HS within prior 2 years; apply by Mar 31, documents by Apr 30
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Mississippi?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 211 or higher made a student in Mississippi a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Mississippi require the SAT or ACT?
    William Carey University requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 7 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff.
    Which colleges in Mississippi have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Mississippi we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Mississippi State University (1100 to 1350), Belhaven University (1010 to 1298) and William Carey University (1040 to 1290).

    Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.