2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Mississippi
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Mississippi
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Southwest Mississippi Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,080, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $21,057. Liberal Arts graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $50,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,057 median debt.
Copiah Lincoln Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Holmes Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,789 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $25,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,875. Liberal Arts graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jones County Junior College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Located in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Jones County Junior College generally make around $23,319. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Pearl River Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,700, while out-of-state students pay about $6,100. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Pearl River Community College earn a median of $19,354 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Students borrow a median of $6,885 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,885 median debt.
Alcorn State University earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Students borrow a median of $39,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $25,450 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Delta State University earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $41,580 early in their careers. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $28,435. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $28,438 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $37,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
