2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Mississippi

[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Mississippi
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is Coahoma Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Students borrow a median of $6,601 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $20,069. Set against $6,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hinds Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,603. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $20,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi Delta Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,965. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Summit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,080, while out-of-state students pay about $6,780. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $21,057 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $50,292 early in their careers. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,091. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Copiah Lincoln Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wesson. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
East Central Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,990, while out-of-state students pay about $6,090. Students borrow a median of $5,646 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $17,810. Set against $5,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,875. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,875 median debt.
Holmes Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,789. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $25,496. That is a strong return on a $11,789 median debt.
Jones County Junior College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ellisville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Meridian Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,078, compared with $6,478 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $4,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Meridian Community College generally make around $24,817. Set against $4,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pearl River Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,700, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Pearl River Community College generally make around $19,354. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,885. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,515. Set against $6,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $21,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Mississippi Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Booneville. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,750. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,011. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northeast Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Valley State University placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Itta Bena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692. Median earnings reach $31,919 ten years out. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $25,450 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $37,174 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,673 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $31,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,785 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $39,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,269. That is a strong return on a $39,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Delta State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $29,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $41,580. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Mississippi State University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,435 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $36,318. That is a strong return on a $28,435 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $37,800. That is a strong return on a $28,438 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $48,911 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Jackson State University earn a median of $41,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.