Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
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2024In recent years, online education has transformed the landscape of higher education, offering flexibility, convenience, and a wide range of degree options. In Mississippi, several top-tier colleges and universities offer accredited online programs, providing students with the opportunity to pursue their educational goals from the comfort of their homes.
We’ll take a closer look at the top online colleges in Mississippi and the benefits they offer to students. From affordable tuition costs to high-paying job opportunities, here’s how these online programs can help you achieve your academic and career goals.
Featured Online Degree Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Mississippi 2024
University of Mississippi
University, MS- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,072
- Out-of-state$26,292
- In-State$9,072
- Out-of-state$26,294
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled22,300
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi State University
- Mississippi State, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,248
- Out-of-state$24,790
- In-State$9,398
- Out-of-state$25,444
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled22,649
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
William Carey University
- Hattiesburg, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,500
- Out-of-state$13,500
- In-State$11,875
- Out-of-state$11,875
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate57%
- Students Enrolled5,738
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Mississippi College
- Clinton, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- In-State$12,060
- Out-of-state$12,060
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled4,250
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern Mississippi
- Hattiesburg, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,094
- Out-of-state$11,094
- In-State$9,094
- Out-of-state$11,094
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled14,146
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Cost of College in Mississippi
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of attending a public college in Mississippi for the academic year 2022-23 was $9,120 for in-state students.
However, this number doesn’t include other expenses such as room, board, and additional costs, which can vary depending on the institution and the student’s circumstances.
Tuition costs can also vary depending on the type of institution, with four-year public institutions charging an average of $9,120 for in-state students and $21,531 for out-of-state students. Private four-year institutions charge an average tuition of $20,042.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $9,120 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $21,531 |
| Private Four-Year | $20,042 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $3,688 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $6,233 |
The 10 Fastest Growing High-Paying Jobs in Mississippi
Mississippi is experiencing significant growth in a variety of high-paying jobs, according to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.
The healthcare sector, in particular, is booming, with 8 of the top 10 projected fastest-growing high-paying jobs for the period of 2022-2032. Nurse practitioners, physical therapy assistants, and medical and health service managers are among the top-ranking jobs.
The median annual salary for these top ten occupations is more than double the state’s median annual salary, indicating high earning potential. Nurse practitioners have a particularly high concentration in Mississippi, second only to Tennessee. These jobs offer substantial opportunities in terms of job stability, growth potential, and average salaries.
| Job | Job Growth 2022-2032 | Median Annual Wage 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 97.2% | $108,920 |
| Conservation Scientists | 53.3% | $72,820 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 41.8% | $61,600 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 37.4% | $80,950 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 27.6% | $52,930 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 23.9% | $51,840 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 21.2% | $51,840 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 20% | $63,620 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 16.7% | $109,290 |
| Physical Therapists | 16.2% | $97,750 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Mississippi
Some of the cheapest online colleges in Mississippi include Mississippi University for Women and Delta State University, both with tuition rates around $8,000. The cheapest program for you could vary depending on the financial aid and scholarship offers you receive from colleges in Mississippi.
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