Best Community Colleges in Mississippi 2024
The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Mississippi offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
10 Best Community Colleges in Mississippi
- East Mississippi Community College
- Hinds Community College
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Coahoma Community College
- Jones County Junior College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Pearl River Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Hinds Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Coahoma Community College
- Pearl River Community College
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Holmes Community College
- Jones County Junior College
- Itawamba Community College
- Jones County Junior College 25 to 1
- Pearl River Community College 24 to 1
- Southwest Mississippi Community College 22 to 1
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 22 to 1
- Northeast Mississippi Community College 22 to 1
- Northwest Mississippi Community College 21 to 1
- Itawamba Community College 20 to 1
- Copiah–Lincoln Community College 20 to 1
- Coahoma Community College 19 to 1
- East Mississippi Community College 18 to 1
- Jones County Junior College $3,750
- Northeast Mississippi Community College $3,650
- Meridian Community College $3,552
- Hinds Community College $3,500
- East Mississippi Community College $3,500
- Coahoma Community College $3,353
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College $3,300
- Mississippi Delta Community College $3,290
- East Central Community College $3,260
- Pearl River Community College $3,250
- Copiah–Lincoln Community College
- East Central Community College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College
- Meridian Community College
- Holmes Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Pearl River Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Copiah–Lincoln Community College
- East Central Community College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College
- Meridian Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- Jones County Junior College
- Holmes Community College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Hinds Community College 13 to 1
- Meridian Community College 15 to 1
- Holmes Community College 17 to 1
- East Central Community College 17 to 1
- Mississippi Delta Community College 17 to 1
- East Mississippi Community College 18 to 1
- Coahoma Community College 19 to 1
- Itawamba Community College 20 to 1
- Copiah–Lincoln Community College 20 to 1
- Northwest Mississippi Community College 21 to 1
- Holmes Community College $2,700
- Itawamba Community College $2,900
- Northwest Mississippi Community College $3,200
- Southwest Mississippi Community College $3,200
- Copiah–Lincoln Community College $3,200
- Pearl River Community College $3,250
- East Central Community College $3,260
- Mississippi Delta Community College $3,290
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College $3,300
- Coahoma Community College $3,353
Colleges and Universities in Mississippi
The majority of the learning institutes in Mississippi are public schools, with the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, being the largest. This university, located in Oxford, boasts alumni like William Faulkner, John Grisham, and James Meredith. Tuition at Ole Miss runs about $9,000, just below the national average. The eight private colleges, all of which have religious affiliations, range in tuition costs from $10,000 at Rust College to $40,000 at Millsaps College.
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Students who attend these schools have the option to pursue degrees in fields like nursing, business, dentistry, Christian ministry, education, and literature. Additionally, all of these private schools are considered small schools, serving under 5,000 students. Mississippi also offers up to $12,000 of undergraduate loan forgiveness, over the course of four years, for teachers who work in designated shortage areas or who teach in critical shortage subjects, like special education or mathematics.
From Mississippi mud pie to fried chicken, Mississippi brings a whole new meaning to the term comfort food.
The Magnolia State is easy on the eyes too. With nearly endless forests spilling over with hickory, pine, and oak trees, the intricate river system, and the Gulf Island National Seashore, Mississippi is a true destination for lovers of outdoor adventure. And students who plan on earning their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in Mississippi have 31 colleges and universities to choose from.
Explore some of the top schools and career paths Mississippi has to offer.
What are Mississippi’s Colleges & Universities?
- 6 Research Universities
- 9 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 8 Graduate Schools
- 8 Public Colleges & Universities
- 7 Private Colleges & Universities
- 7 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 11 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 12 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 15 Community Colleges
- 8 Online Colleges
Mississippi’s Best Overall
We’ve identified 15 community colleges in Mississippi. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Mississippi.
Best Community Colleges in Mississippi
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
39%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at East Mississippi Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,740Expenses: $10,005Starting Salary: $30,100Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is East Mississippi Community College known for?
East Mississippi Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Mississippi 2024 #9 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity #10 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies #21 Best Online Associate in Finance
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
32%
Student body
15K
Career Outlook for degree at Hinds Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,750Expenses: $8,400Starting Salary: $30,900Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Hinds Community College known for?
Hinds Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Mississippi 2024 #8 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies #24 Best Online Associate in Communications
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
38%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Northwest Mississippi Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,460Expenses: $9,015Starting Salary: $31,900Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northwest Mississippi Community College known for?
Northwest Mississippi Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
33%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Coahoma Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,353Expenses: $7,320Starting Salary: $23,200Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Coahoma Community College known for?
Coahoma Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
43%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Jones County Junior College
Cost of Degree: $3,970Expenses: $10,512Starting Salary: $33,300Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Jones County Junior College known for?
Jones County Junior College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
44%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,950Expenses: $9,615Starting Salary: $32,400Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College known for?
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
39%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Pearl River Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,500Expenses: $8,120Starting Salary: $33,400Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Pearl River Community College known for?
Pearl River Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
39%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Northeast Mississippi Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,770Expenses: $9,032Starting Salary: $32,300Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northeast Mississippi Community College known for?
Northeast Mississippi Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
35%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi Delta Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,380Expenses: $7,800Starting Salary: $27,200Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mississippi Delta Community College known for?
Mississippi Delta Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
50%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Itawamba Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,160Expenses: $8,165Starting Salary: $30,900Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Itawamba Community College known for?
Itawamba Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
43%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Holmes Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,510Expenses: $9,750Starting Salary: $32,200Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Holmes Community College known for?
Holmes Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Biology
- Mathematics
- History
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
- Communications
- Business
- Computer Science
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
32%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Meridian Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,811Expenses: $10,530Starting Salary: $31,600Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Meridian Community College known for?
Meridian Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
43%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Southwest Mississippi Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,600Expenses: $7,550Starting Salary: $32,100Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Southwest Mississippi Community College known for?
Southwest Mississippi Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
33%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at East Central Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,565Expenses: $9,174Starting Salary: $33,000Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is East Central Community College known for?
East Central Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
46%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Copiah–Lincoln Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,600Expenses: $9,350Starting Salary: $33,300Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Copiah–Lincoln Community College known for?
Copiah–Lincoln Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Copiah–Lincoln Community College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Pearl River Community College
- Meridian Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Coahoma Community College
- Holmes Community College
- East Central Community College
- Jones County Junior College
- Hinds Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College