Meridian Community College
#6 Best Nursing Colleges in Mississippi- Graduation Rate
- 39% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $31,002 D
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $6,351 A-
- 63% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,156
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.5 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Nursing Colleges in Mississippi.
Every $1 spent returns $26.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $648,436.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 24% below the national college median.
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Graduation of 39% — 31% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.25% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Meridian Community College Matters
Meridian Community College is a public community college in Meridian, MS and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 2,156
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Precision Production, Construction Trades
Why students choose Meridian Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,351 a year after grants and scholarships — 63% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $31,002 ten years after enrolling — 24% below the typical college, against $5,521 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 22% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.74 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Meridian Community College is a solid choice for students looking to jumpstart their careers, especially in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Precision Production. With an enrollment of around 2,156 students, this college offers a supportive atmosphere where individuals can thrive in smaller classes. The focus on practical skills and job readiness makes it a good fit for those eager to enter the workforce.
Graduates from Meridian can expect to earn an average of $31,002 after ten years in the job market. While this number gives a glimpse into potential earnings, it’s important to consider the affordability of attending school here. With a net price of $6,351 after financial aid and a median debt of just $5,521, the financial burden is relatively light, especially for those who qualify for Pell Grants, which cover 39% of the student body.
In practical terms, this school is well-suited for students who prioritize cost-effectiveness and immediate career opportunities. Those who thrive here tend to be motivated and ready to take advantage of the hands-on training available. It’s a place where you can gain the skills needed for a successful career without accumulating overwhelming debt.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Meridian Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Meridian Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Meridian, Mississippi, Meridian Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,787
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.57
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Meridian Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Meridian Community College is $6,478, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,351. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,351 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $5,521 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,078
- Out-of-State
- $6,478
- Avg Net Price
- $6,351
- Median Debt
- $5,521
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 11%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,351
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Meridian Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Meridian Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Meridian Community College report median earnings of $31,002, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $28,752
- 8 Years
- $31,184
- 10 Years
- $31,002
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.18x
- Earning > $25K
- 38%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (175)
- 25%
- 100% (175)
- 25%
- 100% (175)
- 25%
- 100% (175)
- 25%
How Meridian Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Meridian Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Meridian Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,351/year ($25,404 total). Graduates earn $31,002 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $673,840 in total earnings — a net gain of $648,436 (26.5× your investment). The median debt is $5,521, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 39% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $25,404
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $673,840
- Net Return
- $648,436
- ROI Multiple
- 26.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,351
- Median Debt
- $5,521
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Meridian Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Meridian Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.25%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 28.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $41,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.25%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 7.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 28.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $56,112
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $9,703,764
- Investment Income
- $8,457
Top Programs
The fields Meridian Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 34% $60,864 early-career
- Humanities 21%
- Precision Production 11% $35,271 early-career
- Construction Trades 6%
- Transportation 6% $39,324 early-career
- Business & Marketing 5%
- Culinary & Personal Services 5% $17,880 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Meridian Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Meridian Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Meridian, Mississippi, Meridian Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 39%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Meridian Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Meridian Community College is $6,478, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,351. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,351 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $5,521 in federal student loans.
Is Meridian Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Meridian Community College report median earnings of $31,002, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Meridian Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Meridian Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.25%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 28.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $41,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Meridian Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Meridian Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.14). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Meridian Community College.
- Lawson State Community CollegeBirmingham, AL · Close peer26% grad $31,701 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- New Mexico Junior CollegeHobbs, NM · Close peer42% grad $34,233 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- East Central Community CollegeDecatur, MS · Close peer38% grad $32,421 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Jones County Junior CollegeEllisville, MS · Close peer38% grad $33,377 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Three Rivers CollegePoplar Bluff, MO · Close peer34% grad $32,442 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- South Piedmont Community CollegePolkton, NC · Close peer37% grad $37,308 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Meridian Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Meridian Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.74, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.14). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note