# Best Master's Programs in Mississippi

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 15 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-mississippi

## Methodology

Master's programs in Mississippi ranked by graduate outcomes

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing a master's program is a significant decision, especially in Mississippi, where options vary widely in outcomes. As you compare schools, consider that graduates here earn, on average, $42,696. This figure reflects the potential return on investment for your education.

What sets the top programs apart? Schools are ranked based on critical factors like earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and, importantly, mobility for graduates. A higher graduation rate often correlates with better job opportunities, while lower debt can mean more financial freedom. The schools listed below each have unique strengths and weaknesses, so it's essential to look closely at the numbers.

For instance, the University of Mississippi leads with impressive earnings of $50,994 and a graduation rate of 70%. In contrast, Mississippi University for Women has lower earnings at $46,128 and a graduation rate of just 42%. This comparison highlights the tradeoffs between financial outcomes and completion rates, giving you insights into what might work best for your future.

## Key Findings

- University of Mississippi graduates earn $50,994, which is the highest on this list.
- Mississippi State University has a graduation rate of 65%, indicating a solid completion rate.
- Mississippi University for Women's net price is $12,411, making it one of the more affordable options.
- Delta State University graduates have an average debt of $20,390, which is significant compared to its earnings.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Mississippi](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mississippi) | University, MS | 70% | $50,994 | $13,314 | $20,000 | 0.39x |
| 2 | [Mississippi State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-state-university) | Mississippi State, MS | 65% | $51,513 | $17,595 | $22,142 | 0.43x |
| 3 | [Mississippi University for Women](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-university-for-women) | Columbus, MS | 42% | $46,128 | $12,411 | $15,000 | 0.33x |
| 4 | [William Carey University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-carey-university) | Hattiesburg, MS | 51% | $43,087 | $14,258 | $20,832 | 0.48x |
| 5 | [Delta State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/delta-state-university) | Cleveland, MS | 47% | $41,991 | $13,540 | $20,390 | 0.49x |
| 6 | [University of Southern Mississippi](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-southern-mississippi) | Hattiesburg, MS | 50% | $44,140 | $21,708 | $22,500 | 0.51x |
| 7 | [Mississippi College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-college) | Clinton, MS | 61% | $47,485 | $27,712 | $22,500 | 0.47x |
| 8 | [Belhaven University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belhaven-university) | Jackson, MS | 50% | $46,440 | $15,676 | $26,333 | 0.57x |
| 9 | [Millsaps College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/millsaps-college) | Jackson, MS | 56% | $53,848 | $26,034 | $27,000 | 0.5x |
| 10 | [Mississippi Valley State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-valley-state-university) | Itta Bena, MS | 24% | $31,919 | $9,686 | $28,413 | 0.89x |
| 11 | [Rust College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rust-college) | Holly Springs, MS | 17% | $32,275 | $12,587 | $26,159 | 0.81x |
| 12 | [Blue Mountain Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/blue-mountain-christian-university) | Blue Mountain, MS | 53% | $40,421 | $24,016 | $18,534 | 0.46x |
| 13 | [Jackson State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jackson-state-university) | Jackson, MS | 41% | $39,060 | $23,836 | $30,470 | 0.78x |
| 14 | [Tougaloo College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tougaloo-college) | Tougaloo, MS | 33% | $34,724 | $17,043 | $30,046 | 0.87x |
| 15 | [Alcorn State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alcorn-state-university) | Alcorn State, MS | 51% | $36,421 | $13,265 | $27,000 | 0.74x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Master's Programs in Mississippi." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-mississippi

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.