Colleges in Mississippi
Why go to College in Mississippi?
Mississippi offers opportunities to earn affordable degrees from highly reputed institutions. The state's colleges maintain rigorous standards of research and teaching to ensure graduates are prepared to enter the workforce or continue their studies. The state's southern charm, understated sophistication, and low cost of living make attending school in Mississippi a wonderful experience.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Mississippi?
On-Campus
On-campus students have access to resources such as libraries and career services and have opportunities to watch and participate in sports, pledge fraternities or sororities, and get involved with student associations. On-campus learning fully immerses students in the academic setting and is ideal for helping recent high school graduates transition to living on their own in a safe, structured environment.
Online Programs
Online schools in Mississippi offer a convenient and flexible way to earn a degree on your own schedule. While online students must be self-disciplined, tech-savvy, and comfortable working in a virtual environment, distance learning offers tremendous benefits. Adult online learners can work full-time while raising a family and studying in the evenings, and online schools in Mississippi offer more part-time options than on-campus degree programs. In addition, earning a degree to advance your career opens opportunities for your employer to cover some costs. Online colleges in Mississippi help adults balance life and school while offering online resources to ensure academic success.
Hybrid Programs
Many institutions of higher education offer at least some course content online, including individual classes, homework assignments, and project work. While students may take part in these hybrid elements, all required course content may not be available online.
In a hybrid online degree program, however, students complete credits primarily online and attend a few classes or special practicums on campus. Students in these programs may enroll in the majority of their required coursework without attending class in person.
Popular Degree Programs in Mississippi
Mississippi's top industry is agriculture, and nearly a third of the population works in farming. The state is home to more than 40,000 farms, which generate more than six billion dollars annually. Many students earn degrees that prepare them for this industry. They also pursue degrees that prepare them for work in the energy sector, given the large number of available careers related to natural gas and oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
Business management This degree prepares students to operate businesses and to assume leadership positions in organizations across industries. Students learn about financial, operations, and human resource management, all of which are necessary for a career in agriculture.
Engineering Students specialize in various areas of engineering, including geological, chemical, civil, and mechanical engineering. Engineers are critical to the energy sector, which contributes to the state, national, and global economies. Moreover, a career in the energy sector requires a deep understanding of science, technology, and mathematics, which engineering degrees provide.
What are the Best Online Colleges in Mississippi?
Online schools in Mississippi offer some of the best degree programs in the country. Whether you're pursuing a two- or four-year degree, the list below will help you decide where to enroll. Online colleges in Mississippi are respected nationwide and provide students with the skills to be successful in the workforce, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to pursue your passion after graduation.
Reference the list below to decide which online colleges in Mississippi meet your educational needs.
Top 7 Colleges in Mississippi for 2019
Admissions Rate
51%
Graduation Rate
47%
Online Enrollment
32%
Retention Rate
67%
Default Rate
6%
Located in Jackson, Mississippi, Belhaven enrolls 1,200 students at its main campus. The university serves an additional 3,300 students through associate, bachelor's, and graduate programs in Memphis, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, as well as online. As one of the top online colleges in Mississippi, Belhaven offers students of its online programs small class sizes and asynchronous course delivery. Students complete weekly class assignments over eight-week terms.
Online students pay per-credit tuition, and Mississippi residents receive a tuition discount for some online programs. Most online students are able to complete bachelor's degrees in fewer than four years, but completion time depends on the number of previous credits the student applies toward their degree.
Visit SiteSponsored
What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Mississippi?
A community college offers a two-year degree, usually emphasizing a specific vocational area, such as allied health or an occupation closely linked to local industry. Community college tuition is generally less than that of a four-year college.
A four-year program offers a broader range of courses to complement major requirements. The cost of a four-year degree is higher than that of a two-year degree, but a four-year degree often affords graduates more career opportunities.
Top 2 Online Community Colleges in Mississippi for 2019
Graduation Rate
28%
Online Enrollment
11%
Retention Rate
67%
Default Rate
20%
MGCCC serves more than 10,000 students through four campuses across the state. The college offers workforce training and academic transfer programs. The school is also is one of the most affordable online community colleges in Mississippi. MGCCC's online college offers more than 12 fully online certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees. The school also offers several hybrid programs.
Notable online programs include MGCCC's bachelor of arts in American studies, its elementary K-8 program, and its associate in business and marketing management technology. While most courses are taught asynchronously, some instructors and classes require students to login at specific times. Online classes have specific start and end dates and are not self-paced. Online students pay the same tuition as on-campus students.
Visit SiteSponsored
How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Mississippi
Mississippi invests in higher education to ensure the state's population is prepared to meet the demands of a global economy. As the table below illustrates, Mississippi allocates a significant percentage of tax revenue to higher education. In addition, the percentage of state residents over age 25 who hold an associate degree exceeds the national average. Online colleges in Mississippi offer students high-quality learning experiences to prepare them for successful careers.
| Mississippi | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $6,896 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 9.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 12.9% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 7.7% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Mississippi
Consider the cost of attending online colleges in Mississippi when deciding where to enroll and what program to pursue. Determine whether a two- or four-year degree is the best pathway to fulfilling your academic and professional goals. Financial aid and scholarships are available to defray the cost of education; both may typically be applied toward online and on-campus degree programs.
Tuition Prices
Online schools in Mississippi provide outstanding educational experiences at an affordable cost. Earning a two-year degree at a public institution in Mississippi costs 20% less than the U.S. average, and earning a four-year degree at a public online college in Mississippi costs 23% less than average.
Financial Aid
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine whether you qualify for federal financial support, such as grants, loans, and work-study funds. If possible, opt for grants to cover costs for online colleges in Mississippi, since those funds do not have to be repaid. A work-study program is also a good choice; these programs allow students to earn a modest income and job experience while in college.
Cost for Online Programs in Mississippi
Financial aid is available to both on-campus students and those in online colleges in Mississippi. Be sure to complete your FAFSA if enrolling in an online school in Mississippi, and check with your school's financial aid department to learn whether you meet the criteria for available scholarships and fellowships. Active duty military members and veterans often qualify for reduced tuition rates. Online tuition is generally the same as on-campus tuition, but distance learners save on expenses such as transportation and housing.
Cost of Living by Region
Where you live after graduation affects career opportunities, and the location of your school affects tuition and living costs. The cost of living varies throughout the country, so the expense involved in attending online schools in Mississippi differs from other states. The table below compares average housing pricing in Mississippi cities to those in other states.
Scholarships for Mississippi College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Most scholarships are applicable to studies at online colleges in Mississippi; students are not generally required to attend on-campus programs in order to benefit from these awards, which allows students to pursue the type of degree program that supports their lifestyle. However, verify this by checking each scholarship's requirements.
Employment Outlook in Mississippi
Mississippi's greatest employment opportunities are in the state's key industries, including agriculture, trade, transportation and utilities, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. While Mississippi's unemployment rate is a bit higher than the national average and its wages are slightly less than average, the low cost of living means residents live comfortably for less money. The low cost of living makes attending school and working in Mississippi an attractive option.
| Mississippi | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 5.3% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $38,300 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Mississippi
Top Industries in Mississippi
Office and administrative support occupations: This industry includes administrative assistants, financial clerks, statistical assistants, and legal secretaries. These professionals use clerical skills to lead office functions and support the ongoing operations of an organization.
Sales and related occupations: This industry includes professionals in advertising, insurance, and real estate brokerage, along with investment and travel experts. Sales professionals meet customer demand, needs, and expectations.
Production operations: Production operations professionals have expertise in manufacturing and work in areas such as assembly, baking, butchery, food and tobacco processing, and precious stone and metal working.
Top Employers in Mississippi
Accreditation for Colleges in Mississippi
The only online schools in Mississippi to consider attending are accredited institutions. Employers look favorably upon graduates of accredited degree programs; an authority such as the U.S. Department of Education (ED) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) has evaluated each school's academic rigor. The ED and CHEA recognize six regional accreditation bodies that accredit schools across the country. Most institutions are regionally accredited, but CHEA also approves some agencies to award national accreditation, which is typically reserved for vocational and distance learning.
Both the ED and CHEA accredit schools that offer online degree programs and monitor institutions to assess the continued quality of their offerings. The ED reviews accrediting agencies and ensures they enforce accreditation standards. CHEA comprises 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations. The ED and CHEA each maintain a list of accredited institutions on their respective websites.
Resources for Students in Mississippi
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning This website offers information about Mississippi's eight public universities, including information on financial aid and academic and student affairs. It also disseminates findings of the University Research Center, which collects data regarding local and state issues.
College Countdown MS This resource provides practical guidance about the admission and financial aid application processes, to support high school seniors as they prepare for college.
Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool This website provides information for those who plan to transfer to a Mississippi public institution, and it explains educational options for adult learners.
Southern Regional Education Board This organization reports on critical issues in education to inform policy and improve teaching and learning at every level. It allows data sharing among organizations so they can benefit from one another's knowledge.
Get2College This website connects students to counseling and additional resources that prepare them to pursue higher education. The organization works closely with guidance counselors across the state and provides coaching through its Get2College Centers.