Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024
Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Mississippi offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.
Best Grad Schools in Mississippi
- University of Mississippi
- Mississippi State University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Jackson State University
- Mississippi College
- Delta State University
- William Carey University
- Belhaven University
- University of Mississippi
- Mississippi State University
- Jackson State University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Mississippi College
- Delta State University
- William Carey University
- Belhaven University
- University of Southern Mississippi 99%
- Delta State University 99%
- University of Mississippi 97%
- Jackson State University 89%
- Mississippi State University 75%
- William Carey University 54%
- Belhaven University 43%
- Mississippi College 40%
- University of Mississippi 16 to 1
- Mississippi State University 16 to 1
- University of Southern Mississippi 15 to 1
- Jackson State University 15 to 1
- Mississippi College 13 to 1
- William Carey University 13 to 1
- Delta State University 10 to 1
- Belhaven University 9 to 1
- Belhaven University $28,375
- Mississippi College $21,098
- William Carey University $14,685
- University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
- Mississippi State University $9,248
- University of Mississippi $9,072
- Delta State University $8,605
- Jackson State University $8,270
- Mississippi College $12,510
- William Carey University $12,312
- Belhaven University $10,710
- Mississippi State University $9,398
- University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
- University of Mississippi $9,072
- Delta State University $8,435
- Jackson State University $8,270
- Belhaven University
- William Carey University
- Delta State University
- Mississippi College
- Jackson State University
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Mississippi State University
- University of Mississippi
- Belhaven University
- William Carey University
- Delta State University
- Mississippi College
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Jackson State University
- Mississippi State University
- University of Mississippi
- Mississippi College 40%
- Belhaven University 43%
- William Carey University 54%
- Mississippi State University 75%
- Jackson State University 89%
- University of Mississippi 97%
- Delta State University 99%
- University of Southern Mississippi 99%
- Belhaven University 9 to 1
- Delta State University 10 to 1
- Mississippi College 13 to 1
- William Carey University 13 to 1
- University of Southern Mississippi 15 to 1
- Jackson State University 15 to 1
- University of Mississippi 16 to 1
- Mississippi State University 16 to 1
- Jackson State University $8,270
- Delta State University $8,605
- University of Mississippi $9,072
- Mississippi State University $9,248
- University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
- William Carey University $14,685
- Mississippi College $21,098
- Belhaven University $28,375
- Jackson State University $8,270
- Delta State University $8,435
- University of Mississippi $9,072
- University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
- Mississippi State University $9,398
- Belhaven University $10,710
- William Carey University $12,312
- Mississippi College $12,510
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
There are 9 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Mississippi. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Mississippi is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2023
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #1 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #2 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
- #5 Best Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs
- #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
- #8 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice
- #10 Top 10 Fastest Accelerated Online PhD in Criminal Justice (Doctorates)
- #13 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
- #13 Best Online Master’s in Education
- #14 Best Online Master’s in Communications
- #14 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
- #14 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #24 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2024 Ranked for Students
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
97%
Graduation
68%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1125/25
Career Outlook for degree at University of Mississippi
Cost of Degree: $9,220Expenses: $18,690Starting Salary: $56,600Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Mississippi known for?
University of Mississippi’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Law
- History
- Political Science
- Medical
- Business
- Literature
- Communications
- Earth Sciences
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Mississippi
- #12 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
- #16 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
63%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/25
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi State University
Cost of Degree: $9,398Expenses: $17,709Starting Salary: $47,400Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mississippi State University known for?
Mississippi State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Chemistry
- History
- Computer Science
- Biology
- Business
- Physics
- Anthropology
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #4 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Mississippi
- #8 Most Affordable Online Master's of Music Education Programs
- #9 Best Online Bachelor's in Philosophy Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Elementary Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
- #11 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #15 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
- #16 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #16 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
- #18 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2024
- #19 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Doctorate of Education (PhDs)
- #21 Best Online Bachelor's in Sociology Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #24 Best RN to BSN Online
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
52%
Student body
16K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Mississippi
Cost of Degree: $9,450Expenses: $16,550Starting Salary: $42,700Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Southern Mississippi known for?
University of Southern Mississippi’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Anthropology
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Literature
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #11 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #22 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #4 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #4 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Mississippi
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #3 HBCU MBA Programs Online
- #4 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #4 Best Online Master's in Biology
- #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #10 Best Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration Degree Programs for 2024
- #12 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
- #13 Best HBCU Online Programs
- #15 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
35%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1141/18
Career Outlook for degree at Jackson State University
Cost of Degree: $8,445Expenses: $21,078Starting Salary: $33,700Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Jackson State University known for?
Jackson State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Social Work
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- History
- Medical
- Education
- Communications
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
- #16 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #21 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #1 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #5 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #5 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #5 Top 10 Best Online Counseling PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #9 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
- #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Homeland Security Degree Programs for 2024
- #11 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
- #11 Top 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Counseling Doctorates (PhDs)
- #23 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
- #23 Best Online Master’s in Educational Administration
- #25 Best Online Master's in Sports Management
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
40%
Graduation
62%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi College
Cost of Degree: $21,098Expenses: $18,329Starting Salary: $44,900Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Mississippi College known for?
Mississippi College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #2 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #5 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
46%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/20
Career Outlook for degree at Delta State University
Cost of Degree: $8,605Expenses: $13,817Starting Salary: $37,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Delta State University known for?
Delta State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024 #7 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #7 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #12 Best Online Master's in Nursing MSN
- #13 Best RN to BSN Online
- #18 Best Online Master's in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
54%
Graduation
42%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/24
Career Outlook for degree at William Carey University
Cost of Degree: $14,685Expenses: $16,248Starting Salary: $40,500Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is William Carey University known for?
William Carey University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Communications
- Religious Studies
- Literature
- Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
- Education
- History
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #5 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Mississippi 2024
- #4 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
- #7 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
- #9 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
- #10 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2024
- #14 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
- #17 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #19 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs for 2024
- #21 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
43%
Graduation
46%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/21
Career Outlook for degree at Belhaven University
Cost of Degree: $28,375Expenses: $10,750Starting Salary: $42,900Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Belhaven University known for?
Belhaven University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Literature
- Nursing
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Medical
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- History
Most Influential Alumni
Mississippi’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest
Resources for Prospective Grad Students
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.
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.