# Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 29 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-mississippi

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Mississippi

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

When considering our options for affordable education in Mississippi, it's vital to look at schools that not only minimize costs but also maximize opportunities for students. The colleges listed here share a commitment to providing accessible education, with net prices that stand out against the backdrop of rising tuition costs. For instance, the average net price among the top schools is just $4,203, making them appealing choices for budget-conscious families.

What sets these colleges apart from others in the state are their balance of graduation rates, potential earnings, and student debt levels. The schools highlighted below demonstrate that affordability doesn't have to compromise quality. With an average graduation rate of 45% and average earnings of $37,829, these institutions offer a pathway to a stable financial future while keeping debt manageable. Each school on this list combines these crucial factors, allowing students to make informed decisions about their education.

Take Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Hinds Community College, for example. Copiah-Lincoln has a lower net price of $3,894, which is $166 less than Hinds Community College, but it also boasts higher earnings at $31,241 compared to Hinds' $30,774. This kind of tradeoff is essential to weigh as you decide which college fits your financial and professional aspirations best.

## Key Findings

- The average net price among the top schools is $4,203.
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College graduates earn an average of $31,241.
- Hinds Community College has a graduation rate of 43%.
- East Mississippi Community College has a net price of $4,608.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Copiah-Lincoln Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/copiah-lincoln-community-college) | Wesson, MS | 51% | $31,241 | $3,894 | $7,435 | 0.24x |
| 2 | [Hinds Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hinds-community-college) | Raymond, MS | 43% | $30,774 | $4,060 | $9,371 | 0.3x |
| 3 | [East Mississippi Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-mississippi-community-college) | Scooba, MS | 44% | $33,772 | $4,608 | $9,006 | 0.27x |
| 4 | [Itawamba Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/itawamba-community-college) | Fulton, MS | 48% | $32,912 | $4,616 | $7,631 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [East Central Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-central-community-college) | Decatur, MS | 38% | $32,421 | $5,240 | $5,500 | 0.17x |
| 6 | [Holmes Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/holmes-community-college) | Goodman, MS | 42% | $32,922 | $5,643 | $9,274 | 0.28x |
| 7 | [Jones County Junior College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jones-county-junior-college) | Ellisville, MS | 38% | $33,377 | $6,048 | $6,291 | 0.19x |
| 8 | [Southwest Mississippi Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwest-mississippi-community-college) | Summit, MS | 48% | $33,227 | $2,525 | N/A | N/A |
| 9 | [Meridian Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/meridian-community-college) | Meridian, MS | 39% | $31,002 | $6,351 | $5,521 | 0.18x |
| 10 | [Pearl River Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pearl-river-community-college) | Poplarville, MS | 36% | $33,019 | $6,532 | $9,750 | 0.3x |
| 11 | [Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-gulf-coast-community-college) | Perkinston, MS | 47% | $33,017 | $6,962 | $10,000 | 0.3x |
| 12 | [Mississippi Delta Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-delta-community-college) | Moorhead, MS | 31% | $28,421 | $3,715 | N/A | N/A |
| 13 | [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 |
| 14 | [Northwest Mississippi Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwest-mississippi-community-college) | Senatobia, MS | 44% | $36,396 | $7,911 | $6,500 | 0.18x |
| 15 | [Northeast Mississippi Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeast-mississippi-community-college) | Booneville, MS | 35% | $34,081 | $8,343 | $9,722 | 0.29x |
| 16 | [Mississippi University for Women](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-university-for-women) | Columbus, MS | 42% | $46,128 | $12,411 | $15,000 | 0.33x |
| 17 | [University of Mississippi](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mississippi) | University, MS | 70% | $50,994 | $13,314 | $20,000 | 0.39x |
| 18 | [Delta State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/delta-state-university) | Cleveland, MS | 47% | $41,991 | $13,540 | $20,390 | 0.49x |
| 19 | [Alcorn State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/alcorn-state-university) | Alcorn State, MS | 51% | $36,421 | $13,265 | $27,000 | 0.74x |
| 20 | [Rust College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rust-college) | Holly Springs, MS | 17% | $32,275 | $12,587 | $26,159 | 0.81x |
| 21 | [William Carey University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-carey-university) | Hattiesburg, MS | 51% | $43,087 | $14,258 | $20,832 | 0.48x |
| 22 | [Belhaven University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belhaven-university) | Jackson, MS | 50% | $46,440 | $15,676 | $26,333 | 0.57x |
| 23 | [Mississippi State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-state-university) | Mississippi State, MS | 65% | $51,513 | $17,595 | $22,142 | 0.43x |
| 24 | [Tougaloo College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tougaloo-college) | Tougaloo, MS | 33% | $34,724 | $17,043 | $30,046 | 0.87x |
| 25 | [University of Southern Mississippi](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-southern-mississippi) | Hattiesburg, MS | 50% | $44,140 | $21,708 | $22,500 | 0.51x |
| 26 | [Jackson State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/jackson-state-university) | Jackson, MS | 41% | $39,060 | $23,836 | $30,470 | 0.78x |
| 27 | [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 |
| 28 | [Millsaps College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/millsaps-college) | Jackson, MS | 56% | $53,848 | $26,034 | $27,000 | 0.5x |
| 29 | [Mississippi College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mississippi-college) | Clinton, MS | 61% | $47,485 | $27,712 | $22,500 | 0.47x |

## 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. "Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-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/.