Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Mississippi
- 29
- Schools
- $37,829
- Avg. Earnings
- 45%
- Avg. Graduation
- $11,694
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,790
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $28,421 at the low end to $53,848 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Southwest Mississippi Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $33,227 against $2,525 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Southwest Mississippi Community College, at $2,525 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Mississippi graduates 70% of its students, well above the 45% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor East Central Community College: graduates owe only 0.17× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to University of Mississippi ($50,994 earnings), not the highest earner, Millsaps College ($53,848). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Southwest Mississippi Community College ($2,525/yr) and Mississippi Christian University ($27,712/yr) produce graduates earning $33,227 and $47,485 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $25,187 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Southwest Mississippi Community College outperforms Millsaps College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Southwest Mississippi Community College and University of Mississippi. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $34K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 University of Mississippi #1 overall | $50,994 ▲ +35% vs avg | $13,314 | 70% | 70 |
| 2 Mississippi University for Women #2 overall | $46,128 ▲ +22% vs avg | $12,411 | 42% | 67 |
| 3 Mississippi State University #3 overall | $51,513 ▲ +36% vs avg | $17,595 | 65% | 67 |
| $31,241 ▼ -17% vs avg | $3,894 | 51% | 67 | |
| $32,912 ▼ -13% vs avg | $4,616 | 48% | 66 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Mississippi
This analysis ranks 29 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $37,829 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 45% and an average net price of $11,694.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Southwest Mississippi Community College — Net Price: $2,525 | Graduation Rate: 48%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Mississippi — 70% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Millsaps College — Median alumni earnings: $53,848
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Mississippi Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Mississippi?
$34,081
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$9,686
Median net price
2.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Mississippi serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 29 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $34,081 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 44%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $9,686 a year, with about $18,534 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 45% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.3%.
For Mississippi, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $9,686 and graduates earning a median of $34,081, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
University of Mississippi lands at #1 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $50,994 a decade after enrolling, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,314 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Mississippi University for Women lands at #2 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $46,128 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,411 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Mississippi State University lands at #3 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $51,513 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,595 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Copiah-Lincoln Community College lands at #4 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $31,241 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,894 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Itawamba Community College lands at #5 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $32,912 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,616 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
William Carey University lands at #6 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $43,087 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,258 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Pearl River Community College lands at #7 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $33,019 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,532 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Jones County Junior College lands at #8 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $33,377 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,048 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Northeast Mississippi Community College lands at #9 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $34,081 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,343 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Northwest Mississippi Community College lands at #10 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $36,396 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,911 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
East Central Community College lands at #11 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $32,421 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,240 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College lands at #12 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $33,017 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,962 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Holmes Community College lands at #13 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $32,922 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,643 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Delta State University lands at #14 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $41,991 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,540 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Meridian Community College lands at #15 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $31,002 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,351 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Millsaps College lands at #16 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $53,848 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,034 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
University of Southern Mississippi lands at #17 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $44,140 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,708 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Belhaven University lands at #18 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $46,440 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,676 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
East Mississippi Community College lands at #19 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $33,772 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,608 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Hinds Community College lands at #20 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $30,774 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,060 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Mississippi Valley State University lands at #21 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (76/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $31,919 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,686 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Rust College lands at #22 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $32,275 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,587 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Jackson State University lands at #23 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $39,060 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,836 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Southwest Mississippi Community College lands at #24 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (96/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $33,227 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,525 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Mississippi Christian University lands at #25 with a 53/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,485 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,712 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Blue Mountain, MS · 89% accepted · $24,016 net
Why it ranks #26
Blue Mountain Christian University lands at #26 with a 53/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,421 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,016 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Tougaloo College lands at #27 with a 52/100 composite, led by academic quality (60/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,724 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,043 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Alcorn State University lands at #28 with a 50/100 composite, led by academic quality (54/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,421 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,265 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Mississippi Delta Community College lands at #29 with a 48/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (19/100). Graduates earn a median $28,421 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,715 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 29 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When considering higher education in Mississippi, prospective students and families often look for schools that offer a balance of affordability and strong outcomes. With 29 institutions on our list, each has demonstrated potential for meaningful post-graduate success. The University of Mississippi stands out with an average earning potential of $50,994, showcasing what a degree from this institution can offer.
Not all colleges are created equal, and the differences in graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels can significantly impact a student's future. The average graduation rate among these 29 schools is 45%, with earnings averaging $37,829. This data highlights the importance of not only choosing a school that is affordable but also one that can provide a strong return on investment in terms of career opportunities.
For instance, the University of Mississippi has a graduation rate of 70%, which is significantly higher than Jones County Junior College at just 38%. While the financial commitment at Jones County is lower, with a net price of $6,048 compared to the University of Mississippi's $13,314, students may need to weigh the long-term earnings potential against immediate costs as they consider their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 25 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Mississippi Valley State University leads the group at 3.9%, with Copiah-Lincoln Community College (3.3%) and Belhaven University (3.2%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 23.3% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Mississippi Valley State University enrolls the most, at 45.5%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 12% across the list, peaking at 30.7% at Millsaps College.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 0.94, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Millsaps College is highest at 1.64.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
A closer look at the data reveals that the University of Mississippi outperforms many of its peers due to its higher graduation rate of 70%, which translates to better job prospects post-graduation. In contrast, Jones County Junior College has a graduation rate of only 38% and despite a lower average debt of $6,291, the potential earnings may not compensate for the lower completion rate.
As you explore these schools, consider how each institution matches your priorities. Factors like location, available programs, campus culture, and financial aid opportunities should weigh heavily in your decision-making process. If you prefer a vibrant campus life with diverse offerings, a school like the University of Mississippi might suit you better despite the higher costs.
Ultimately, choosing the right college can significantly impact your future. The earnings data suggests that a degree from a school with a strong graduation rate, like the University of Mississippi, can lead to a more stable financial future. These decisions aren't just about education; they're about laying the groundwork for a fulfilling career and life ahead.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Mississippi: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Mississippi ranking? +
University of Mississippi in University, MS ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Mississippi ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $50,994 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 70% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Millsaps College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $53,848 ten years after enrollment, well above the $37,829 average across the 29 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Southwest Mississippi Community College leads: graduates earn a median $33,227 against net price of about $2,525 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Mississippi has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 70%, compared with a 45% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $11,694 a year across the 29 ranked schools with cost data. Southwest Mississippi Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,525. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Mississippi ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 29 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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