Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024

Badge for BEST IN MISSISSIPPI GRADUATE SCHOOLS

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

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  1. University of Mississippi
  2. Mississippi State University
  3. University of Southern Mississippi
  4. Jackson State University
  5. Mississippi College
  6. Delta State University
  7. William Carey University
  8. Belhaven University
  1. University of Mississippi
  2. Mississippi State University
  3. Jackson State University
  4. University of Southern Mississippi
  5. Mississippi College
  6. Delta State University
  7. William Carey University
  8. Belhaven University
  1. University of Southern Mississippi 99%
  2. Delta State University 99%
  3. University of Mississippi 97%
  4. Jackson State University 89%
  5. Mississippi State University 75%
  6. William Carey University 54%
  7. Belhaven University 43%
  8. Mississippi College 40%
  1. University of Mississippi 16 to 1
  2. Mississippi State University 16 to 1
  3. University of Southern Mississippi 15 to 1
  4. Jackson State University 15 to 1
  5. Mississippi College 13 to 1
  6. William Carey University 13 to 1
  7. Delta State University 10 to 1
  8. Belhaven University 9 to 1
  1. Belhaven University $28,375
  2. Mississippi College $21,098
  3. William Carey University $14,685
  4. University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
  5. Mississippi State University $9,248
  6. University of Mississippi $9,072
  7. Delta State University $8,605
  8. Jackson State University $8,270
  1. Mississippi College $12,510
  2. William Carey University $12,312
  3. Belhaven University $10,710
  4. Mississippi State University $9,398
  5. University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
  6. University of Mississippi $9,072
  7. Delta State University $8,435
  8. Jackson State University $8,270
  1. Belhaven University
  2. William Carey University
  3. Delta State University
  4. Mississippi College
  5. Jackson State University
  6. University of Southern Mississippi
  7. Mississippi State University
  8. University of Mississippi
  1. Belhaven University
  2. William Carey University
  3. Delta State University
  4. Mississippi College
  5. University of Southern Mississippi
  6. Jackson State University
  7. Mississippi State University
  8. University of Mississippi
  1. Mississippi College 40%
  2. Belhaven University 43%
  3. William Carey University 54%
  4. Mississippi State University 75%
  5. Jackson State University 89%
  6. University of Mississippi 97%
  7. Delta State University 99%
  8. University of Southern Mississippi 99%
  1. Belhaven University 9 to 1
  2. Delta State University 10 to 1
  3. Mississippi College 13 to 1
  4. William Carey University 13 to 1
  5. University of Southern Mississippi 15 to 1
  6. Jackson State University 15 to 1
  7. University of Mississippi 16 to 1
  8. Mississippi State University 16 to 1
  1. Jackson State University $8,270
  2. Delta State University $8,605
  3. University of Mississippi $9,072
  4. Mississippi State University $9,248
  5. University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
  6. William Carey University $14,685
  7. Mississippi College $21,098
  8. Belhaven University $28,375
  1. Jackson State University $8,270
  2. Delta State University $8,435
  3. University of Mississippi $9,072
  4. University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
  5. Mississippi State University $9,398
  6. Belhaven University $10,710
  7. William Carey University $12,312
  8. 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?

Mississippi’s Best Overall


Mississippi's Best Grad Schools Badge
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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.

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Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2023

  1. #1

    University of Mississippi

    University , MS
    Other Rankings

    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: $9,220
    Expenses: $18,690
    Starting Salary: $56,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Mississippi

    Cost of Degree: $9,450
    Expenses: $16,550
    Starting Salary: $42,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    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: $8,445
    Expenses: $21,078
    Starting Salary: $33,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #5

    Mississippi College

    Clinton , MS
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $21K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi College

    Cost of Degree: $21,098
    Expenses: $18,329
    Starting Salary: $44,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
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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.

  1. University of Mississippi
  2. Mississippi State University
  3. University of Southern Mississippi
  4. Mississippi College
  5. William Carey University
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