2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Mississippi
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Mississippi? We have ranked 54 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree evaluated 9 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Mississippi
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found University Of Mississippi Main Campus to be the best-value Graduate Degrees school in Mississippi. Located in University, MS, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $50,994 ten years out. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants. Get the full University Of Mississippi Main Campus report
Out of the 9 schools in Mississippi in this year's value ranking, Mississippi State University landed the #2 spot. Located in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,969. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,513. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. Mississippi State University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read the full report on Mississippi State University
A rank of #3 makes Delta State University one of the best values in Mississippi. This public school is set in Cleveland, MS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $23,432. Delta State University alumni report median earnings of $41,991 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants. Read the full report on Delta State University
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #4 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Mississippi. Located in Hattiesburg, MS, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,140 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. About 99% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi College earned it the #5 place in Mississippi. Located in Clinton, MS, Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,510. Mississippi College alumni report median earnings of $47,485 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Mississippi College
William Carey University placed #6 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Mississippi. Set in Hattiesburg, MS, William Carey University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,087 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,079 median debt. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on William Carey University
Alcorn State University placed #7 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Mississippi. This public school is set in Alcorn State, MS. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Alcorn State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,674 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants. Get the full Alcorn State University report
Jackson State University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Based in Jackson, MS, Jackson State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Jackson State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $32,944 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,060 ten years out. Set against $32,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Jackson State University profile
Belhaven University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, MS. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Belhaven University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $34,181 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Belhaven University has an acceptance rate of 50%. More on Belhaven University
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Kcs School Of Hair Design offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. More on Kcs School Of Hair Design
Hinds Community College landed the #12 spot for value in Mississippi this year. Get the full Hinds Community College report
Meridian Community College landed the #13 spot for value in Mississippi this year. See the full Meridian Community College profile
Academy Of Hair Design Pearl came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Academy Of Hair Design Pearl
C N K Barber College offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Read more about C N K Barber College
Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. See the full Corinth Academy Of Cosmetology profile
Blue Cliff College Gulfport ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Blue Cliff College Gulfport
Mississippi Community College Board landed the #18 spot for value in Mississippi this year. Read the full report on Mississippi Community College Board
Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Mississippi Institute Of Aesthetics Nails And Cosmetology profile
Strayer University Mississippi came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Strayer University Mississippi
Traxlers School Of Hair ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Traxlers School Of Hair profile
Fosters Cosmetology College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Fosters Cosmetology College report
The Academy Of Hair Design Six ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on The Academy Of Hair Design Six
East Central Community College landed the #24 spot for value in Mississippi this year. Read more about East Central Community College
Goshen School Of Cosmetology landed the #25 spot for value in Mississippi this year. More on Goshen School Of Cosmetology
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Mississippi
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Mississippi Delta Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Mississippi Delta Community College
Southwest Mississippi Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on Southwest Mississippi Community College
Delta Technical College landed the #28 spot for value in Mississippi this year. Read more about Delta Technical College
Academy Of Hair Design Grenada came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. See the full Academy Of Hair Design Grenada profile
Rust College
Rust College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full Rust College report
Vaughn Beauty College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. More on Vaughn Beauty College
Blue Mountain College landed the #32 spot for value in Mississippi this year. See the full Blue Mountain College profile
Coahoma Community College placed #33 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Mississippi. Read more about Coahoma Community College
Wesley Biblical Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on Wesley Biblical Seminary
Board Of Trustees Mississippi State Institutions Of Higher Learning came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Board Of Trustees Mississippi State Institutions Of Higher Learning
Holmes Community College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Holmes Community College
Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Mississippi College Of Beauty Culture
Mississippi Valley State University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about Mississippi Valley State University
Itawamba Community College placed #39 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Mississippi. More on Itawamba Community College
Millsaps College
Millsaps College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Millsaps College profile
Copiah Lincoln Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Copiah Lincoln Community College profile
Tougaloo College
Tougaloo College landed the #42 spot for value in Mississippi this year. More on Tougaloo College
Southeastern Baptist College placed #43 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Mississippi. Read more about Southeastern Baptist College
Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northwest Mississippi Community College
Jones County Junior College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Jones County Junior College
Northeast Mississippi Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Northeast Mississippi Community College
Academy Of Hair Design Jackson placed #47 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Mississippi. Read the full report on Academy Of Hair Design Jackson
Chris Beauty College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Chris Beauty College report
Upper Kutz Barber Style College placed #49 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Mississippi. Get the full Upper Kutz Barber Style College report
East Mississippi Community College landed the #50 spot for value in Mississippi this year. More on East Mississippi Community College
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 9 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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