Rankings / By State
Best Data 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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Median graduate earnings across these 11 schools run from $30,774 to $44,140, a 1.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Copiah-Lincoln Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $31,241 in median earnings against $3,894 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Copiah-Lincoln Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $3,894 a year in net price.
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Alcorn State University graduates 51% of its students, versus a 42% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Northwest Mississippi Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.18× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Copiah-Lincoln Community College ($31,241 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, University of Southern Mississippi ($44,140), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College costs $3,894 a year and Jackson State University costs $23,836. Yet their graduates earn $31,241 and $39,060, nowhere near the $19,942 price gap.
- On value, Copiah-Lincoln Community College beats University of Southern Mississippi: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Alcorn State University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 data scientist roles are projected to grow 36%. 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 Data 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
Research Note
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
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
The median graduation rate across these 11 schools is 44%. Median graduate earnings reach $33,377 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $7,911 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $10,000. Some 52% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 2.2%.
What we’re seeing: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $33,377 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
The podium
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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 Data Scientists and related roles — a field with $108,020 median pay and 36% projected growth.
See the Data Scientist career guide →Data science is rapidly becoming a critical field, and Mississippi has a selection of colleges that cater to this growing demand. These institutions offer programs aimed at equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in data-driven careers. With average earnings across these programs resting at $35,764, prospective students are weighing their options carefully.
What sets these colleges apart are the outcomes that truly matter. Graduation rates, earnings potential, student debt, and overall program concentration are key metrics that can guide students and families in making informed decisions. The list below highlights schools excelling in these areas, allowing readers to compare figures and find the best fit for their needs.
For instance, Copiah-Lincoln Community College boasts the lowest net price at just $3,894, yet it has a graduation rate of 51%. In contrast, Northwest Mississippi Community College has higher earnings at $36,396 but a graduation rate of only 44% and a net price nearing $7,911. This example illustrates the trade-offs students must consider as they look for the right program for their future.
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
While reviewing the data, a notable pattern emerges between Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Jones County Junior College. Copiah-Lincoln leads with a 51% graduation rate and a much lower debt load of $7,435, whereas Jones County's graduation rate sits at 38%, despite a comparable debt of $6,291. This suggests that Copiah-Lincoln may provide a more supportive environment for students.
As you sift through the data, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing low debt, high earnings, or a strong graduation rate? Use these metrics as a framework to weigh against your personal circumstances, like location preferences and program specifics. Each school has its strengths and weaknesses, so consider how they align with your goals.
The data here reflects a crucial truth: the pathway from college to a stable career often hinges on the choices made today. Choosing the right data science program can directly impact not just earnings, but overall life trajectory. One decision could lead to a stable future for your family, emphasizing the importance of thorough research and careful consideration.
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 Data Science Colleges in Mississippi: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Data Science Colleges in Mississippi ranking? +
Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, MS ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Data 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 Data 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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