Southwest Mississippi Community College
#8 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi- Graduation Rate
- 48% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $33,227 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $2,525 A+
- 85% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,474
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 76.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $76.9 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi.
Every $1 spent returns $76.9 over 20 years. Net gain: $766,634.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Social mobility rate of 2.72% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $76.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southwest Mississippi Community College Matters
Southwest Mississippi Community College is a public community college in Summit, 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
- 1,474
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Culinary & Personal Services, Construction Trades
Why students choose Southwest Mississippi 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 $2,525 a year after grants and scholarships — 85% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $33,227 ten years after enrolling — 19% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 14% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.66 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,474 students, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a great fit for those looking to dive into fields like humanities, health professions, construction trades, culinary arts, and business. This school stands out for its focus on practical skills and career readiness, making it an attractive option for anyone wanting to enter the workforce quickly or transfer to a four-year university later on.
Life after graduation seems promising, with a median earning of $33,227 ten years after completing a program. For students who take advantage of the affordable tuition, with a net price of just $2,525 after aid, the potential return on investment is significant. While the graduation rate is 48%, those who do complete their studies tend to find solid employment in their chosen fields, particularly in health professions and trades.
When we look at the practical aspects, the financial picture is favorable for many. With over half of the student body receiving Pell Grants, the support is there for those who need it. The manageable cost after aid and the absence of reported debt mean students can focus on their education without the heavy burden of loans. It's a supportive environment for individuals ready to work hard and build a future, especially for those who thrive in hands-on learning settings.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Southwest Mississippi 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 Southwest Mississippi Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Summit, Mississippi, Southwest Mississippi Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,334
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- 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 Southwest Mississippi Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwest Mississippi Community College is $6,780, 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 $2,525. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,171 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,080
- Out-of-State
- $6,780
- Avg Net Price
- $2,525
- Pell Grant Rate
- 56%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,171
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $2,136
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $4,511
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 Southwest Mississippi 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 Southwest Mississippi Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwest Mississippi Community College report median earnings of $33,227, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $29,092
- 8 Years
- $29,770
- 10 Years
- $33,227
- Earning > $25K
- 42%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (201)
- 33%
- 100% (201)
- 33%
- 100% (201)
- 33%
- 100% (201)
- 33%
How Southwest Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
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 Southwest Mississippi Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southwest Mississippi Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $2,525/year ($10,100 total). Graduates earn $33,227 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $776,734 in total earnings — a net gain of $766,634 (76.9× your investment).. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $10,100
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $776,734
- Net Return
- $766,634
- ROI Multiple
- 76.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $2,525
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
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 Southwest Mississippi Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwest Mississippi 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 2.72%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 30.4% 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 8.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $44,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.72%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 8.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 30.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $59,916
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,491,574
- Federal Grants
- $5,185,300
- Investment Income
- $27,929
Top Programs
The fields Southwest Mississippi 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.
- Humanities 54%
- Health Professions 23% $64,204 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 5% $18,169 early-career
- Construction Trades 5%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 3% $36,664 early-career
- Precision Production 3%
- Business & Marketing 2%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
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 Southwest Mississippi 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southwest Mississippi Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Summit, Mississippi, Southwest Mississippi Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southwest Mississippi Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southwest Mississippi Community College is $6,780, 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 $2,525. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,171 after need-based grants.
Is Southwest Mississippi Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southwest Mississippi Community College report median earnings of $33,227, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Southwest Mississippi Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southwest Mississippi 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 2.72%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 30.4% 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 8.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $44,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southwest Mississippi 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 Southwest Mississippi Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southwest Mississippi Community College.
- Vance-Granville Community CollegeHenderson, NC · Close peer50% grad $34,304 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lurleen B Wallace Community CollegeAndalusia, AL · Close peer42% grad $32,307 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Craven Community CollegeNew Bern, NC · Close peer47% grad $34,231 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- East Central Community CollegeDecatur, MS · Close peer38% grad $32,421 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- Wilson Community CollegeWilson, NC · Close peer33% grad $32,973 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Kennebec Valley Community CollegeFairfield, ME · Close peer44% grad $36,035 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southwest Mississippi 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 Southwest Mississippi Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note