Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi (2026)
Updated
Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi lists 15 four-year institutions in Mississippi. Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
University of Mississippi ranks 1st on this list, with an average net price of $8,945 for families earning under $30,000. Across the listed schools, the figure ranges from $8,945 to $25,984, with a median of $12,613 for families earning under $30,000.
The list includes 8 public and 7 private nonprofit institutions. University of Mississippi ranks 179th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, and it also posts the highest six-year completion rate on the page at 72%.
Mississippi Valley State University reports the lowest average net price, at $9,686.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Mississippi · University, MS | $66,243 | $13,314 | $8,945 | 96.6% |
| University of Mississippi reports an average net price of $8,945 for families earning under $30,000, alongside a six-year completion rate of 72%. | |||||
| 2 | Mississippi Valley State University · Itta Bena, MS | $40,972 | $9,686 | $9,073 | 92.4% |
| Mississippi Valley State University posts median earnings of $40,972 for its graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $9,073 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 3 | Belhaven University · Jackson, MS | $51,795 | $15,676 | $10,551 | 49.8% |
| A private nonprofit university in Jackson, Belhaven University admits 50% of applicants and carries an average net price of $10,551 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 4 | Mississippi University for Women · Columbus, MS | $62,987 | $12,411 | $10,676 | 90.3% |
| Mississippi University for Women ranks 335th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $10,676 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 5 | Delta State University · Cleveland, MS | $47,248 | $13,540 | $12,223 | 100.0% |
| With an admission rate of 100%, Delta State University reports an average net price of $12,223 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 48%. | |||||
| 6 | William Carey University · Hattiesburg, MS | $54,242 | $14,258 | $12,224 | 60.3% |
| William Carey University lists median earnings of $54,242 for its graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $12,224 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 7 | Rust College · Holly Springs, MS | $41,313 | $12,587 | $12,546 | 48.7% |
| Rust College reports a six-year completion rate of 12% and an average net price of $12,546 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 8 | Alcorn State University · Alcorn State, MS | $45,495 | $13,265 | $12,613 | 45.3% |
| Alcorn State University ranks 516th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $12,613 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 9 | Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS | $59,311 | $17,595 | $14,332 | 77.6% |
| Mississippi State University posts median earnings of $59,311 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $14,332 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 10 | Tougaloo College · Tougaloo, MS | $42,641 | $17,043 | $17,294 | 59.9% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Tougaloo, Tougaloo College admits 60% of applicants and reports an average net price of $17,294 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 11 | University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS | $48,593 | $21,708 | $19,867 | 99.1% |
| University of Southern Mississippi reports a six-year completion rate of 49% and an average net price of $19,867 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 12 | Jackson State University · Jackson, MS | $47,606 | $23,836 | $22,869 | 93.2% |
| Jackson State University lists median earnings of $47,606 for its graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,869 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 13 | Blue Mountain Christian University · Blue Mountain, MS | $40,841 | $24,016 | $23,112 | 89.0% |
| Blue Mountain Christian University reports median earnings of $40,841 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $23,112 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 14 | Millsaps College · Jackson, MS | $67,303 | $26,034 | $24,215 | 43.1% |
| Millsaps College admits 43% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
| 15 | Mississippi Christian University · Clinton, MS | $55,434 | $27,712 | $25,984 | 29.1% |
| Mississippi Christian University ranks 951st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with an average net price of $25,984 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. Median earnings figures shown for each school reflect federally aided completers across all fields who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The list does not adjust for who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The list includes 8 public and 7 private nonprofit institutions. The spread from University of Mississippi to the 15th-ranked school is $17,039 for families earning under $30,000, and the gap between University of Mississippi and Mississippi Valley State University is $128.