by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their nursing graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Alcorn State University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Alcorn State University make a median of around $96,689 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Coahoma Community College earned it the #2 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $102,158.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Mississippi Delta Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Mississippi Delta Community College typically earn about $74,327 annually.
William Carey University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. William Carey University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Early-career nursing graduates from William Carey University make a median of around $94,936 per year.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Mississippi University For Women is a public school located in the town of Columbus. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,866.
Southwest Mississippi Community College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Southwest Mississippi Community College make a median of around $69,411 per year.
Hinds Community College came in at #7 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Hinds Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Raymond. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Hinds Community College typically earn about $74,311 annually.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,950.
Meridian Community College came in at #9 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,722.
Pearl River Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Pearl River Community College typically earn about $70,395 annually.
Holmes Community College came in at #11 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Holmes Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Early-career nursing graduates from Holmes Community College make a median of around $69,269 per year.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #12 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College make a median of around $69,473 per year.
Copiah Lincoln Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing salaries this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Wesson. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Copiah Lincoln Community College typically earn about $67,337 annually.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #14 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus typically earn about $79,095 annually.
East Mississippi Community College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from East Mississippi Community College make a median of around $65,915 per year.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. University Of Southern Mississippi is a public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi typically earn about $72,090 annually.
Mississippi College landed the #17 spot for nursing salaries this year. Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Nursing graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of about $72,491 a year early in their careers.
Jones County Junior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Jones County Junior College is a public school located in the town of Ellisville. Nursing graduates of Jones County Junior College earn a median of about $61,696 a year early in their careers.
Belhaven University landed the #19 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Belhaven University typically earn about $69,794 annually.
East Central Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing salaries this year. East Central Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Decatur. Early-career nursing graduates from East Central Community College make a median of around $69,493 per year.
Itawamba Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Itawamba Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,873.
Delta State University placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,221.
Northeast Mississippi Community College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the town of Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Northeast Mississippi Community College earn a median of about $64,862 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 23 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.