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Tougaloo College

Tougaloo, MS·Private nonprofit·681 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access and students from lower-income families. graduation rate is below 40%; earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. 62% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.

53%
Accept
681
Students
$15,663
Net Price
32%
Grad Rate
$32,400
Earnings
10 yr
$23,098
Debt

About This School

Tougaloo College is a private nonprofit institution located in Tougaloo, Mississippi with approximately 681 undergraduate students enrolled. Tougaloo College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 53%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,663 per year. The graduation rate is 32%, and the typical graduate earns $32,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

Tougaloo College is a private historically black college in the Tougaloo area of Jackson, Mississippi, United States. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and Christian Church. It was established in 1869 by New York–based Christian missionaries for the education of freed slaves and their offspring. From 1871 until 1892 the college served as a teachers' training school funded by the state of Mississippi. In 1998, the buildings of the old campus were added to the National Register of Historic Places. Tougaloo College has an extensive history of civic and social activism, including the Tougaloo Nine.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the net price of $15,663/year is genuinely affordable for a private college, and the school's deep roots as an HBCU founded in 1869 offer a tight-knit community and strong cultural identity that many students find invaluable. However, the 32% graduation rate is a serious concern — fewer than 1 in 3 students who start here finish, which is worth honestly weighing before enrolling. If you do graduate, median earnings of $32,400 at the 10-year mark are modest, so students should plan carefully around borrowing and career preparation from day one.

Founded
1869
Setting
Midsize city

Popular Programs

Social Sciences25%
Biological Sciences24%
Education13%
Psychology7%
Computer Science6%
Visual & Performing Arts4%
Communications3%
Physical Sciences2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Bennie Thompson

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite19

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$11,398
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,398
Avg Net Price
$15,663
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants62%
Median debt at graduation$23,098

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
32%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
71%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$32,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$23,098
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$23,098
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$25,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$32,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 1.4x

Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

Black90%
Hispanic/Latino2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (681 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Tougaloo College

500 W County Line Rd

Tougaloo, MS 39174

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Mississippi

Browse all Mississippi schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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