Best Value Degrees in Mississippi (2026)

Top 100 of 200 programs in Mississippi · Updated 2026

The best college programs in Mississippi, ranked by overall value. We scored 200 programs across Mississippi schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $51,096/yr in graduate earnings.

Why a Rural HBCU Delivers Mississippi’s #1 ROI

Alcorn State’s top spot isn’t an accident; it’s a direct result of its mission as a land-grant HBCU in a rural state. Its nursing program produces graduates who are in high demand to fill critical healthcare gaps in underserved communities, commanding an impressive $85,255 average salary. This intense regional demand, combined with affordable public tuition, creates an unmatched 28.1x return on investment, proving that location and mission can create immense economic value.

The For-Profit Anomaly: How Strayer Cracked the Top 10

Seeing a for-profit like Strayer University in the top 10 is surprising, but it reveals a key market reality. Strayer's computer science programs deliver by focusing narrowly on job-specific skills that employers need now, leading to high graduate earnings of over $67,000. While its tuition is higher and ROI is lower than public options, its success demonstrates a model built for students who need a direct, flexible path to a tech career, bypassing the traditional campus experience.

AI's Two-Faced Impact on Nursing and Tech

AI will reshape the top careers on this list in very different ways. For nurses (43% AI risk), automation will likely handle paperwork and data entry, freeing you up for the irreplaceable human skills of patient care and critical thinking. For tech and accounting majors (59-63% risk), AI is automating entry-level coding and analysis, meaning you'll need to master system design and strategic oversight—not just basic tasks—to justify your high salary.

The Public University Blueprint for High Value

The data is clear: public universities are the dominant engine of economic mobility in Mississippi, holding 16 of the top 20 spots. Schools like the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State leverage low in-state tuition to provide an accessible on-ramp to high-paying careers in nursing, engineering, and tech. This combination of affordability and targeted, high-demand programs is the simple formula behind their incredible ROI figures, often exceeding 20x the initial investment.

Programs in MS

200

Avg Earnings (Top 100)

$51,096/yr

Avg DW Score

61/100

#1 Program

Nursing

Alcorn State University

Top Institutions

Leading the field for Best Degrees in Mississippi

The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.

Rank #1 · DegreeOutlook Score 90

Nursing

Alcorn State University · Alcorn State, MS · Public

Mississippi University for Women · MS · #2

$74,422/yr · 25.6x ROI

Nursing

University of Mississippi · MS · #3

$69,353/yr · 20.0x ROI

Nursing

William Carey University · MS · #4

$73,469/yr · 15.2x ROI

The Ranking Matrix

Top Programs in Mississippi

Top 100 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.

Sort by

#	Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
1	Nursing Alcorn State University · Alcorn State, MS	90 87–90	$85,255/yr	High	28.1x
2	Nursing Mississippi University for Women · Columbus, MS	88 85–87	$74,422/yr	High	25.6x
3	Nursing University of Mississippi · University, MS	85 82–84	$69,353/yr	High	20.0x
4	Nursing William Carey University · Hattiesburg, MS	85 82–85	$73,469/yr	High	15.2x
5	Nursing University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	83 80–82	$70,068/yr	High	17.7x
6	Computer Science Jackson State University · Jackson, MS	82 75–83	$70,347/yr	Very High	19.7x
7	Accounting University of Mississippi · University, MS	82 79–84	$59,123/yr	Very High	20.8x
8	Information Sciences Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	82 76–83	$58,755/yr	Very High	20.2x
9	Information Sciences Strayer University-Mississippi · Jackson, MS	81 75–82	$67,315/yr	Very High	14.0x
10	Information Science Strayer University-Mississippi · Jackson, MS	79 73–80	$71,167/yr	Very High	14.7x
11	Finance University of Mississippi · University, MS	77 75–79	$52,550/yr	Very High	17.4x
12	Electrical Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	76 72–77	$80,896/yr	Very High	24.2x
13	Finance Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	76 74–78	$50,217/yr	Very High	16.7x
14	Chemical Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	75 72–77	$78,183/yr	High	25.6x
15	Mechanical Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	75 72–77	$75,161/yr	Very High	23.5x
16	Nursing Delta State University · Cleveland, MS	74 72–74	$68,221/yr	High	18.8x
17	Nursing Mississippi College · Clinton, MS	74 72–73	$69,572/yr	High	7.4x
18	Aerospace Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	74 72–74	$69,056/yr	High	22.9x
19	Mechanical Engineering University of Mississippi · University, MS	73 70–74	$70,038/yr	Very High	21.7x
20	Information Sciences University of Mississippi · University, MS	72 66–73	$66,082/yr	Very High	16.6x
21	Civil Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	72 71–74	$65,805/yr	High	20.6x
22	Industrial Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	72 70–73	$70,703/yr	High	21.9x
23	Civil Engineering University of Mississippi · University, MS	71 70–72	$58,112/yr	High	21.1x
24	Computer Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	70 64–72	$72,529/yr	Very High	17.5x
25	Accounting Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	70 71–71	$41,717/yr	Very High	17.3x
26	Construction Management Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	70 67–71	$72,712/yr	High	17.5x
27	Business Strayer University-Mississippi · Jackson, MS	69 64–70	$55,431/yr	High	10.6x
28	Civil Engineering Jackson State University · Jackson, MS	68 68–69	$49,498/yr	High	22.4x
29	Business Administration University of Mississippi · University, MS	68 62–69	$44,971/yr	High	15.0x
30	Accounting Strayer University-Mississippi · Jackson, MS	68 65–70	$52,373/yr	Very High	9.7x
31	Finance University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	66 69–67	$39,444/yr	Very High	15.9x
32	Nursing Belhaven University · Jackson, MS	65 63–65	$69,794/yr	High	5.0x
33	Allied Health Professions University of Mississippi · University, MS	64 64–64	$50,045/yr	Moderate	15.1x
34	Management Information Systems University of Mississippi · University, MS	64 57–66	$63,107/yr	Very High	15.6x
35	Agricultural Business Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	64 57–65	$45,821/yr	High	14.6x
36	Industrial Production Technology Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	64 63–64	$57,923/yr	Moderate	17.3x
37	Agricultural Business Alcorn State University · Alcorn State, MS	63 55–64	$44,330/yr	High	15.7x
38	Computer Engineering Jackson State University · Jackson, MS	63 57–64	$51,570/yr	Very High	13.2x
39	Marketing University of Mississippi · University, MS	63 57–64	$43,811/yr	Very High	16.0x
40	Subject-Area Teaching William Carey University · Hattiesburg, MS	63 63–64	$52,790/yr	High	8.0x
41	Chemical Engineering University of Mississippi · University, MS	62 59–63	$76,685/yr	High	19.4x
42	Electrical Engineering University of Mississippi · University, MS	62 58–63	$74,931/yr	Very High	18.9x
43	Architecture Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	62 61–63	$53,679/yr	High	16.8x
44	Marketing Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	62 56–63	$42,670/yr	Very High	15.4x
45	Business Administration Belhaven University · Jackson, MS	61 55–61	$51,546/yr	High	4.4x
46	Accounting Jackson State University · Jackson, MS	61 63–62	$40,419/yr	Very High	13.7x
47	Architectural Engineering Technology University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	61 59–62	$76,114/yr	High	16.2x
48	Accounting University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	61 62–62	$40,764/yr	Very High	12.9x
49	Dental Services University of Mississippi · University, MS	60 59–60	$51,838/yr	Moderate	14.9x
50	Clinical Laboratory Science University of Mississippi · University, MS	60 59–59	$54,947/yr	Moderate	14.7x
51	Business Administration Mississippi College · Clinton, MS	60 54–60	$43,299/yr	High	6.5x
52	Management Information Systems Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	60 54–62	$45,971/yr	Very High	16.7x
53	Finance Jackson State University · Jackson, MS	59 66–60	$33,932/yr	Very High	16.4x
54	Subject-Area Teaching Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	59 64–60	$41,658/yr	High	11.5x
55	Biomedical Engineering Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	59 59–60	$45,483/yr	High	18.2x
56	Business Administration Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	59 55–60	$37,975/yr	High	12.8x
57	Industrial Production Technology University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	59 59–59	$75,493/yr	Moderate	18.6x
58	Marketing University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	59 53–60	$40,496/yr	Very High	14.7x
59	Radio, Television, and Digital Communication University of Mississippi · University, MS	58 53–59	$41,247/yr	High	15.2x
60	Business Administration University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	58 53–58	$38,757/yr	High	12.1x
61	Public Policy Analysis University of Mississippi · University, MS	57 54–57	$40,259/yr	High	16.8x
62	Hospitality Management University of Mississippi · University, MS	57 49–57	$34,282/yr	High	15.3x
63	Insurance University of Mississippi · University, MS	57 55–58	$55,154/yr	Very High	13.6x
64	Animal Sciences Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	57 53–58	$41,464/yr	High	17.2x
65	Engineering Studies Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	57 56–58	$68,045/yr	High	16.3x
66	Human Resources University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	56 51–57	$44,709/yr	High	12.2x
67	Criminal Justice Strayer University-Mississippi · Jackson, MS	56 46–57	$43,405/yr	Moderate	8.9x
68	Geological Engineering University of Mississippi · University, MS	55 54–56	$59,070/yr	High	14.7x
69	Business University of Mississippi · University, MS	54 51–55	$39,464/yr	High	9.5x
70	Business Administration Blue Mountain Christian University · Blue Mountain, MS	53 47–53	$42,394/yr	High	4.5x
71	Teacher Education Delta State University · Cleveland, MS	53 63–53	$39,008/yr	High	10.3x
72	Teacher Education Jackson State University · Jackson, MS	53 62–54	$40,448/yr	High	10.6x
73	Mathematics Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	53 49–55	$48,084/yr	Very High	11.2x
74	Accounting Belhaven University · Jackson, MS	52 52–53	$43,016/yr	Very High	2.7x
75	Criminal Justice University of Mississippi · University, MS	52 43–52	$31,875/yr	Moderate	12.5x
76	Subject-Area Teaching University of Mississippi · University, MS	51 57–52	$39,985/yr	High	9.6x
77	Political Science University of Mississippi · University, MS	51 49–52	$33,373/yr	Very High	14.6x
78	Business Administration Mississippi University for Women · Columbus, MS	51 47–51	$35,310/yr	High	11.7x
79	Criminal Justice University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	51 40–51	$36,315/yr	Moderate	10.8x
80	Criminal Justice Alcorn State University · Alcorn State, MS	50 41–50	$30,617/yr	Moderate	12.7x
81	Business Administration Millsaps College · Jackson, MS	50 45–51	$39,765/yr	High	2.7x
82	Real Estate University of Mississippi · University, MS	50 45–51	$49,283/yr	High	12.1x
83	Business Administration William Carey University · Hattiesburg, MS	50 44–50	$40,598/yr	High	6.1x
84	Health and Medical Administrative Services Belhaven University · Jackson, MS	49 46–49	$39,022/yr	High	3.6x
85	Parks University of Mississippi · University, MS	49 45–50	$35,318/yr	Moderate	8.4x
86	Forestry Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	49 49–50	$40,219/yr	Moderate	15.8x
87	Plant Sciences Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	48 42–49	$45,994/yr	High	11.0x
88	Political Science Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	48 46–48	$29,442/yr	Very High	14.4x
89	Teacher Education University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	48 59–49	$38,766/yr	High	9.2x
90	Health & Physical Education University of Southern Mississippi · Hattiesburg, MS	48 45–48	$39,049/yr	Moderate	11.5x
91	Teacher Education Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	47 59–48	$37,945/yr	High	9.2x
92	Criminal Justice William Carey University · Hattiesburg, MS	47 36–47	$35,540/yr	Moderate	5.1x
93	Subject-Area Teaching Blue Mountain Christian University · Blue Mountain, MS	46 55–47	$37,760/yr	High	3.9x
94	Business Administration Jackson State University · Jackson, MS	46 44–47	$28,911/yr	High	11.5x
95	Teacher Education University of Mississippi · University, MS	46 58–47	$37,838/yr	High	9.2x
96	Teacher Education Mississippi University for Women · Columbus, MS	46 59–47	$36,812/yr	High	10.8x
97	Criminal Justice Mississippi College · Clinton, MS	46 35–46	$37,324/yr	Moderate	4.6x
98	Marketing Mississippi College · Clinton, MS	46 40–47	$42,245/yr	Very High	3.9x
99	Geosciences Mississippi State University · Mississippi State, MS	46 48–47	$42,298/yr	High	12.8x
100	Teacher Education William Carey University · Hattiesburg, MS	46 55–46	$39,520/yr	High	5.4x

FAQ

Frequently asked

What is the best college program in Mississippi?

By DegreeOutlook Score, Nursing at Alcorn State University ranks #1 in Mississippi with a score of 90/100 and graduate earnings of $85,255/yr.

How many college programs are in Mississippi?

Our database includes 200 programs across Mississippi colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.