Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Mississippi
- 11
- Schools
- $34,940
- Avg. Earnings
- 42%
- Avg. Graduation
- $11,085
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,673
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $30,774 at the low end to $44,140 at the top. That 1.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Copiah-Lincoln Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $31,241 against $3,894 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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College, at $3,894 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Alcorn State University graduates 51% of its students, well above the 42% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Northwest Mississippi Community College: graduates owe only 0.18× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Copiah-Lincoln Community College ($31,241 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Southern Mississippi ($44,140). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Copiah-Lincoln Community College ($3,894/yr) and Jackson State University ($23,836/yr) produce graduates earning $31,241 and $39,060 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $19,942 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Copiah-Lincoln Community College outperforms University of Southern Mississippi: 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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Alcorn State University. 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
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $33K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College #1 overall | $31,241 ▼ -11% vs avg | $3,894 | 51% | 69 |
| 2 Northwest Mississippi Community College #2 overall | $36,396 ▲ +4% vs avg | $7,911 | 44% | 68 |
| 3 Itawamba Community College #3 overall | $32,912 ▼ -6% vs avg | $4,616 | 48% | 68 |
| $33,017 ▼ -6% vs avg | $6,962 | 47% | 67 | |
| $33,377 ▼ -4% vs avg | $6,048 | 38% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Mississippi
This analysis ranks 11 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $34,940 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 42% and an average net price of $11,085.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Copiah-Lincoln Community College — Net Price: $3,894 | Graduation Rate: 51%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Alcorn State University — 51% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Southern Mississippi — Median alumni earnings: $44,140
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$33,377
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$7,911
Median net price
2.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Technology hiring rewards ability over credentials more than any other field on this site. Toolchains turn over every few years, so computing and data-science programs compete on employer connections, project-based learning, and curriculum currency. The programs that teach fundamentals and learning agility produce the graduates who last.
Across the 11 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $33,377 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 44%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $7,911 a year, with about $10,000 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 52% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.2%.
In tech, what you can do matters more than where you studied. Graduates on this list earn a median of $33,377 ten years after enrollment. Programs with industry partnerships, co-op placements, and current curricula keep delivering through a cyclical hiring market.
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
Copiah-Lincoln Community College lands at #1 with a 69/100 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, 11% 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 #2
Northwest Mississippi Community College lands at #2 with a 68/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Itawamba Community College lands at #3 with a 68/100 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, 6% 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 #4
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College lands at #4 with a 67/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Jones County Junior College lands at #5 with a 67/100 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, 4% 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 #6
University of Southern Mississippi lands at #6 with a 67/100 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, 26% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Hinds Community College lands at #7 with a 66/100 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, 12% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Rust College lands at #8 with a 64/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,587 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Jackson State University lands at #9 with a 58/100 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, 12% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Tougaloo College lands at #10 with a 54/100 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, 1% 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 #11
Alcorn State University lands at #11 with a 52/100 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% above 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 11 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →Choosing the right computer science program in Mississippi can set the stage for a successful career in tech. With an average earning potential of $35,764 among graduates, these programs offer a solid foundation for those looking to enter the field. As technology continues to evolve, finding the right fit for your education is more important than ever.
What distinguishes the top programs on this list is a combination of key outcomes: graduation rates, earnings, debt levels, and overall program concentration. The schools ranked here not only deliver strong academic experiences but also help students navigate the financial aspects of their education. This means looking beyond just the degree to consider how quickly graduates find stable employment and how much debt they carry afterward.
Take Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Northwest Mississippi Community College, for example. Copiah-Lincoln has a graduation rate of 51% and average earnings of $31,241, while Northwest Mississippi has a lower graduation rate of 44% but higher earnings at $36,396. This contrast illustrates the tradeoffs students may need to consider when selecting a program, weighing immediate earning potential against completion rates.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 9 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.2%. Copiah-Lincoln Community College leads the group at 3.3%, with Jackson State University (3%) and Rust College (2.3%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 25.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Rust College leads at 35.5%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 9.3% across this list. University of Southern Mississippi posts the highest success rate at 16.9%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 0.88 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Southern Mississippi reaches 1.23, the highest on the list.
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
When comparing Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Jones County Junior College, we see a notable difference in graduation rates and earnings. Copiah-Lincoln leads with a graduation rate of 51% and average earnings of $31,241, while Jones County lags behind with a graduation rate of only 38% and earnings of $33,377. This suggests that while Jones County may yield slightly higher earnings, the completion rate indicates a more challenging path to graduation for students.
After reviewing these schools, consider how their data aligns with your own priorities. Think about factors like location, the specific focus of the computer science programs, and your financial situation. If a program has a lower graduation rate but offers higher earnings, weigh that against your personal circumstances and career goals. Each student's journey is unique, and these metrics should inform, not dictate, your choice.
Ultimately, the decision on where to study computer science impacts not just education, but long-term stability and quality of life. A degree can open doors to various career paths, but understanding the financial and academic landscape is crucial. Families need to consider both the immediate benefits and long-term implications of their choice, ensuring that the selected program aligns with both educational aspirations and financial realities.
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 Computer Science Colleges in Mississippi: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Mississippi ranking? +
Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, MS ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science Colleges in Mississippi ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $31,241 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 51% 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? +
University of Southern Mississippi posts the highest median earnings on this list: $44,140 ten years after enrollment, well above the $34,940 average across the 11 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, Copiah-Lincoln Community College leads: graduates earn a median $31,241 against net price of about $3,894 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? +
Alcorn State University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 51%, compared with a 42% 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 $11,085 a year across the 11 ranked schools with cost data. Copiah-Lincoln Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,894. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science 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 11 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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