Starkville, Mississippi, October 22, 2025
News Summary
WalletHub has ranked Starkville, Mississippi, 64th out of 415 college towns in the U.S., highlighting both its affordability and challenges in social and academic opportunities. While Starkville excels in wallet friendliness, ranking 28th, it falls behind in social environment at 148th and academic opportunities at 289th. Comparatively, Hattiesburg ranked 197th and Jackson 404th, with significant anomalies in their respective rankings. Starkville was previously recognized by USA Today as the best small town in the South, emphasizing its appeal to students.
Starkville, Mississippi: A Focal Point for College Town Rankings
WalletHub has ranked Starkville, Mississippi, 64th among 415 college towns across the United States, assessing factors important to student success. This analysis revealed that Starkville boasts a total score of 52.25, influenced by a range of 31 different factors including cost of living, social environment, and academic/economic opportunities.
In the detailed rankings, Starkville performs notably in certain categories: it is positioned 28th in terms of wallet friendliness, which generally reflects a reasonable cost of living and financial accessibility for students. However, performance dips in other areas; Starkville ranks 148th for social environment and 289th for academic and economic opportunities, indicating that while it is economically friendly, there may be challenges in other student-related aspects.
Earlier this year, Starkville was praised as the best small town in the South by USA Today and ranked 24th among small cities across the nation, demonstrating its attractiveness as a college town.
In comparison, Hattiesburg, home to the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, ranks 197th overall with a score of 48.22. Hattiesburg’s standings include 41st in wallet friendliness, 189th for social environment, and a low 352nd for academic and economic opportunities, reflecting a more challenging environment for students. Moreover, Hattiesburg holds the 82nd position among small cities nationally.
Jackson, which serves as the state capital and houses several higher education institutions, did not fare well in WalletHub’s ranking, coming in at 404th overall with a total score of 38.93. Jackson is ranked 133rd regarding wallet friendliness, while its social environment placement is 288th. The city’s academic and economic opportunities have the lowest rank at 412th. On a positive note, Jackson has the fourth-lowest cost of living among college towns nationally, with Brownsville, Texas recognized as the most cost-friendly.
The rankings highlight that Princeton, New Jersey, tops the list as the best college town in the U.S, far outperforming Jackson in nearly all metrics.
Notably, Oxford, home to the University of Mississippi, was excluded from WalletHub’s rankings due to insufficient available data, despite its population of 26,801 and approximately 21,600 undergraduate students. The University of Mississippi, however, is often celebrated for its academic excellence, recently ranking 169th among top national universities according to U.S. News & World Report.
The report emphasizes that successful college towns typically feature a low cost of living, large student populations, and vibrant communities that assist in reducing student stress and enhancing future employment opportunities.
Key Rankings Summary
| City | Overall Rank | Total Score | Wallet Friendliness Rank | Social Environment Rank | Academic & Economic Opportunities Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starkville | 64 | 52.25 | 28 | 148 | 289 |
| Hattiesburg | 197 | 48.22 | 41 | 189 | 352 |
| Jackson | 404 | 38.93 | 133 | 288 | 412 |
FAQs
What did WalletHub rank Mississippi college towns based on?
WalletHub ranked 415 college towns in the U.S. based on factors that contribute to student success.
What were Starkville’s rankings according to WalletHub?
Starkville ranked 64th overall with a total score of 52.25, 28th in wallet friendliness, 148th for social environment, and 289th for academic and economic opportunities.
How did Hattiesburg perform in the WalletHub rankings?
Hattiesburg ranked 197th overall with a total score of 48.22, 41st in wallet friendliness, 189th for social environment, and 352nd for academic and economic opportunities.
Where does Jackson rank among college towns?
Jackson ranked 404th overall with a total score of 38.93, 133rd in wallet friendliness, 288th for social environment, and 412th for academic and economic opportunities.
What is a key feature of successful college towns?
Successful college towns often feature a low cost of living, large student populations, and vibrant communities to alleviate student stress and promote future employment opportunities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: WalletHub Rankings of Mississippi College Towns
- Travel + Leisure: Best College Towns and Cities
- Lonely Planet: Best College Towns for a Weekend Getaway
- World Atlas: Favorite Towns in Mississippi Ranked
- USA Today: Best Small College Town
- Wikipedia: College Town
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
