How many colleges are in Mississippi?

In 2022-2023, NCES recognized 33 degree-granting institutions in Mississippi. Of those schools, 23 were public institutions, 15 were two-year public schools, and eight were four-year public colleges. Nine of 10 recognized private institutions were nonprofit.

How many HBCUs are in Mississippi?

Mississippi is home to seven historically Black colleges and universities. They include Alcorn State University, Coahoma Community College, Hinds Community College, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, and Tougaloo College.

How do I get in-state tuition in Mississippi?

To qualify for in-state status as an adult learner, you must maintain a continuous residential presence in Mississippi for at least 12 consecutive months after reaching the age of 21. You may need to support your classification with a financial document, motor vehicle or voter registration, a driver's license, or another acceptable document.

What jobs are in high demand in Mississippi?

An April 2024 report by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning identified nurse practitioner, conservation scientist, physical therapy assistant, medical and health services manager, and industrial machinery mechanic as the top five fastest-growing roles in the state from 2022-2032.

What is the highest-paying job in Mississippi?

According to BLS data from May 2024, Mississippi's highest-paid professionals include doctors (generalists and specialists), psychiatrists, and nurse anesthetists. These workers all earned average annual salaries of more than $200,000. Well-paid careers outside the healthcare field included personal financial advisors, business executives, and architectural and engineering managers.

Discover The Best Online Colleges In Mississippi

Mississippi's lower-than-average higher education costs make the state an appealing destination for online learning. Lower tuition rates make it easier to reduce debt while you earn valuable academic credentials at an accredited school.

This guide highlights some of the best online colleges in Mississippi for students seeking accredited learning opportunities. Connect with quality schools, compare programs, and identify promising career paths to pursue as a Mississippi college graduate.

Mississippi at a Glance

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there are 18 nonprofit four-year institutions in Mississippi.
Per the U.S. Census Bureau, 27% of adults in the state hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
In fall 2023, about 59% of students at Mississippi institutions were enrolled in online courses, per NCES.
According to NCES, in fall 2023, there were over 37,000 students aged 25 and older enrolled at Mississippi colleges.

Best Online Colleges in Mississippi

Who Accredits Online Colleges in Mississippi?

Accreditation verifies that a school meets certain standards of academic quality. Accreditation matters when you are choosing an online college. By attending an accredited online college, you can qualify for federal student aid programs, such as the Pell Grant. Your credits are also more likely to transfer to other institutions.

In Mississippi, agencies that confer institutional accreditation include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Some programs — like nursing, psychology, and education — may also be awarded programmatic accreditation, which evaluates how well a specific course of study prepares students for jobs in the field.

How Much Does College Cost in Mississippi?

Mississippi's higher education costs fall well below national averages. Savings opportunities are strongest in the state's private college network, where undergraduate and graduate tuition rates are 34% and 36% lower, respectively, than the national average costs.

Despite a clear path to savings, costs remain high, and you may need help meeting them. The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid offers several initiatives that can help:

HELP Program: This need-based grant could cover up to the full cost of your tuition.
MTAG Program: The Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant provides $500-$1,000 in direct aid to eligible undergraduates.
MESG Program: The merit-based Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant offers up to $2,500 in funding to high-achieving students.

You can also qualify for savings at Mississippi public colleges if you come from one of the 14 other participating states in the Academic Common Market (ACM). The ACM is a tuition reciprocity program run by the Southern Regional Education Board.

Career Opportunities in Mississippi

$39,070
Median annual wage in MS (May 2024)

+6.1%
Projected job growth in MS (2022-2032)

+3.9%
Unemployment rate in MS (August 2025)

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Projections Central, BLS LAUS

Mississippi has one of the lowest costs of living in the United States, boosting its appeal for college graduates who tend to earn significantly higher wages than workers who do not have a degree. You can position yourself for even greater success by training for a high-growth, high-demand career path.

High-growth roles in the state that you can pursue with only an associate degree include physical therapist assistant, respiratory therapist, and diagnostic medical sonographer. The fastest-growing bachelor's degree careers include conservation scientist and medical and health services manager.

Popular Cities for Recent Grads

Jackson

Mississippi's state capital employs a large number of government workers.
Jackson County has strong manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, and hospitality industries.
In 2023, Jackson County's economic growth rate (+6%) doubled the statewide figure (+3%).

Madison

Madison's municipal government describes the city of about 28,000 residents as "Mississippi's most successful city."
In the city, 68% of adults have at least a bachelor's degree.
At nearly $120,000 per year, the median household income is very high for the state.

Olive Branch

This city of about 47,000 people is within easy commuting distance of Memphis.
The city was highlighted in 2023 by Fortune as one of the best places in the United States to raise a family.
Olive Branch is relatively young, with a 2023 median age of 37.6 years.