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PrivateUrbanHBCU

Tougaloo College

Tougaloo, Mississippi 39174

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrbanHBCU

Known for biology — close-knit campus

Tougaloo College is a private urban institution in Tougaloo, Mississippi. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 681 undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

32% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $34,724 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $15,663.

Established
1869
Motto
"Where History Meets the Future"
Type
Private historically black college
Conference
National Association of

Plan Your Visit

53%Acceptance
SAT Avg
681Students
14:1Student:Faculty
32%Grad Rate
$34,724Earnings 10yr
$15,663Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate53.2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$11,398
Room & Board$7,544
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$22,570
Average Net Price$15,663
Median Debt at Graduation$30,046
Monthly Payment (10yr)$319

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,824
$30–48K$15,342
$48–75K$21,637
$75–110K$21,470
$110K+$22,070

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

42.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$23,098

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

4

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (29)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

71%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
681
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
30%
Pell Grant Recipients
62%

Race & Ethnicity

Black 90%
Hispanic 2%
Two+ 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate32.3%
Freshman Retention71.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$25,777
10 Years$34,724

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#15
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1871, the Mississippi State Legislature granted the new institution a formal charter under the name of Tougaloo University.
  • At the end of 1871, the school included 94 "elementary students", 47 that were part of the "normal school", and one categorized as "academic" (college preparatory)—a total student body of 142.
  • On January 23, 1881, Washington Hall—the main classroom building—caught fire during religious services and was entirely destroyed.
  • On May 31, 1881, the foundation was laid for a new classroom building, a three-storey facility named Strieby Hall after M.
  • Courses for college credit were first offered in 1897, and the first Bachelor of Arts degree was awarded in 1901.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

91Average

Estimated from MS state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

New Orleanspop. 380K
169 mi(293 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
324 mi(562 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
347 mi(601 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSY New Orleans167 mi
MEM Memphis183 mi
BHM Birmingham213 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1250 mi · ~36h 7m drive
New York, NY1062 mi · ~30h 41m drive
Hartford, CT1157 mi · ~33h 25m drive
Providence, RI1217 mi · ~35h 9m drive
Albany, NY1141 mi · ~32h 58m drive
Syracuse, NY1059 mi · ~30h 36m drive
Rochester, NY1009 mi · ~29h 9m drive
Buffalo, NY950 mi · ~27h 27m drive
Philadelphia, PA984 mi · ~28h 26m drive
Pittsburgh, PA791 mi · ~22h 51m drive
Harrisburg, PA916 mi · ~26h 28m drive
Newark, NJ1055 mi · ~30h 29m drive
Washington, DC862 mi · ~24h 54m drive
Baltimore, MD894 mi · ~25h 50m drive
Atlanta, GA347 mi · ~10h 1m drive
Charlotte, NC569 mi · ~16h 26m drive
Raleigh, NC699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Miami, FL756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Orlando, FL587 mi · ~16h 57m drive
Tampa, FL553 mi · ~15h 59m drive
Nashville, TN324 mi · ~9h 22m drive
New Orleans, LA169 mi · ~4h 53m drive
Richmond, VA802 mi · ~23h 10m drive
Chicago, IL669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
Detroit, MI789 mi · ~22h 48m drive
Minneapolis, MN885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
St. Louis, MO430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Kansas City, MO525 mi · ~15h 10m drive
Indianapolis, IN556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Columbus, OH657 mi · ~18h 59m drive
Cleveland, OH782 mi · ~22h 35m drive
Milwaukee, WI745 mi · ~21h 31m drive
Dallas, TX387 mi · ~11h 11m drive
Houston, TX358 mi · ~10h 21m drive
Austin, TX471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
San Antonio, TX535 mi · ~15h 27m drive
Los Angeles, CA1622 mi · ~46h 51m drive
San Francisco, CA1852 mi · ~53h 30m drive
San Diego, CA1568 mi · ~45h 18m drive
Seattle, WA1979 mi · ~57h 10m drive
Portland, OR1950 mi · ~56h 20m drive
Denver, CO969 mi · ~28h drive
Phoenix, AZ1271 mi · ~36h 43m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1332 mi · ~38h 29m drive
Honolulu, HI4177 mi · ~120h 40m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Tougaloo College Application Checklist

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