Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN MISSISSIPPI

Published: Jan 4, 2022
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find the best online colleges in Mississippi ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Top 10 Online Colleges in Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi
Jackson State University
Mississippi College
Belhaven University
Mississippi University for Women
Alcorn State University
William Carey University
Blue Mountain College

Jackson State University
University of Southern Mississippi
Alcorn State University
Mississippi College
Mississippi University for Women
William Carey University
Belhaven University
Blue Mountain College

University of Southern Mississippi 99%
Mississippi University for Women 99%
Blue Mountain College 96%
Jackson State University 89%
William Carey University 54%
Belhaven University 43%
Mississippi College 40%
Alcorn State University 30%

Alcorn State University 16 to 1
University of Southern Mississippi 15 to 1
Jackson State University 15 to 1
Blue Mountain College 14 to 1
William Carey University 13 to 1
Mississippi College 13 to 1
Mississippi University for Women 11 to 1
Belhaven University 9 to 1

Belhaven University $28,375
Mississippi College $21,098
Blue Mountain College $19,280
William Carey University $14,685
University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
Alcorn State University $8,549
Jackson State University $8,270
Mississippi University for Women $7,866

Mississippi College $12,510
Blue Mountain College $12,386
William Carey University $12,312
Belhaven University $10,710
University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
Jackson State University $8,270
Alcorn State University $8,174
Mississippi University for Women $7,766

Blue Mountain College
William Carey University
Alcorn State University
Mississippi University for Women
Belhaven University
Mississippi College
Jackson State University
University of Southern Mississippi

Blue Mountain College
Belhaven University
William Carey University
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi College
Alcorn State University
University of Southern Mississippi
Jackson State University

Alcorn State University 30%
Mississippi College 40%
Belhaven University 43%
William Carey University 54%
Jackson State University 89%
Blue Mountain College 96%
Mississippi University for Women 99%
University of Southern Mississippi 99%

Belhaven University 9 to 1
Mississippi University for Women 11 to 1
William Carey University 13 to 1
Mississippi College 13 to 1
Blue Mountain College 14 to 1
University of Southern Mississippi 15 to 1
Jackson State University 15 to 1
Alcorn State University 16 to 1

Mississippi University for Women $7,866
Jackson State University $8,270
Alcorn State University $8,549
University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
William Carey University $14,685
Blue Mountain College $19,280
Mississippi College $21,098
Belhaven University $28,375

Mississippi University for Women $7,766
Alcorn State University $8,174
Jackson State University $8,270
University of Southern Mississippi $9,340
Belhaven University $10,710
William Carey University $12,312
Blue Mountain College $12,386
Mississippi College $12,510

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

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.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

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

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

How do we determine the best online colleges for undergrads?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2023

#1
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg , MS
#3 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #4 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
52%
Student body
16K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Mississippi
Cost of Degree: $9,618
Expenses: $17,484
Starting Salary: $42,700
Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BAS in Applied Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
BSBA in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Child and Family Sciences

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Construction Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education

Concentrations

Teacher Assistant

Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
BSBA in Human Resources Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Industrial Engineering Technology

Concentrations

Logistics

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BLS in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Library and Information Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BSBA in Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BSBA in Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Medical Laboratory Science

Concentrations

Mlt to Mls

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1.5 years
Format: Online
BA in Philosophy

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Public Health

Concentrations

Allied Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
BS in Sociology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 2-4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
Jackson State University
Jackson , MS
#9 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #22 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024
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: $8,795
Expenses: $23,898
Starting Salary: $33,700
Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Childcare and Family Education

Required Credits: 122
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 122
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 122
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Professional Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Technology

Concentrations

Emergency Management Technology

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Mississippi College
Clinton , MS
#12 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #16 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$21K
Acceptance
40%
Graduation
62%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi College
Cost of Degree: $21,698
Expenses: $19,667
Starting Salary: $44,900
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration

Required Credits: 130
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Communication

Required Credits: 130
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Homeland Security

Required Credits: 130
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Loss Prevention

Required Credits: 130
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Program type: Degree completion
Required Credits: 30
Completion time: 1 year
Format: Online
BS in Paralegal Studies

Required Credits: 130
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
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#4
Belhaven University
Jackson , MS
#5 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #8 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
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: $29,195
Expenses: $11,050
Starting Salary: $42,900
Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Applied Psychology

Concentrations

Christian Ministries
Criminal Justice
Human Services

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Biblical Studies

Concentrations

Human Services

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration

Concentrations

IT Management for Business Leaders

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Health Administration

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Hospitality Management

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Human Services

Concentrations

Christian Ministries
Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Management

Concentrations

Criminal Justice
IT Management for Business Leaders

Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Required Credits: 31
Completion time: 1 year
Format: Online
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#5
Mississippi University for Women
Columbus , MS
#4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #4 Best Small Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Public Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Mississippi 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
99%
Graduation
37%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi University for Women
Cost of Degree: $8,092
Expenses: $14,787
Starting Salary: $38,900
Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BBA in Business Administration

Concentrations

General Business
Healthcare Management
Human Resource Management
Management
Management Information Systems

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BAS in Business Administration

Concentrations

General Business
Healthcare Management
Human Resource Management
Legal Administration
Management
Culinary Management

Program type: Degree completion
Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
BAS in Business Administration Management Information Systems

Concentrations

Management Information Systems

Required Credits: 121
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Development

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Program type: Degree completion
Required Credits: 42
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
BS/BAS in Public Health Education

Program type: Degree completion
Required Credits: 124
Completion time: 2 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#6
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State , MS
#7 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2025 #13 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #21 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2025
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
47%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1009/19
Career Outlook for degree at Alcorn State University
Cost of Degree: $8,549
Expenses: $15,195
Starting Salary: $35,000
Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BA in Child Development

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 122-124
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#7
William Carey University
Hattiesburg , MS
#4 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #4 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Mississippi 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Mississippi 2024
Other Rankings
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: $14,685
Expenses: $16,383
Starting Salary: $40,500
Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BS in Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 1 year
Format: Online
BS in Physical Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#8
Blue Mountain College
Blue Mountain , MS
#7 Best Christian Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #7 Best Private Colleges in Mississippi 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Mississippi 2025 #11 Best Online MBA Programs in Mississippi
Other Rankings
- #13 Best Online Master's Programs in Mississippi 2025
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
39%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/22
Career Outlook for degree at Blue Mountain College
Cost of Degree: $19,280
Expenses: $13,978
Starting Salary: $29,200
Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
Paid back at 15% of annual salary
Online Degrees
BA/BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120-123
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Christian Ministry

Required Credits: 120-128
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
BS in Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4-6 years
Format: Online
Compare school

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Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024

Top 10 Online Colleges in Mississippi

Featured Programs

Colleges and Universities in Mississippi

What are Mississippi’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2023

Career Outlook for degree at University of Southern Mississippi

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Jackson State University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Belhaven University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Mississippi University for Women

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Alcorn State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at William Carey University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Blue Mountain College

Online Degrees