by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Mississippi, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We have ranked **6** graduate schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 6 graduate schools using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked graduate schools:
Explore the leading graduate schools below:
Mississippi State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best graduate schools in Mississippi. Based in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Mississippi State University graduates 67% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,383. Typical student debt is $23,969.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #2 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Mississippi. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public school based in University, MS. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,876. The median student debt is $22,444.
You'll be in good company at University Of Southern Mississippi, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Hattiesburg, MS, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $52,338. University Of Southern Mississippi students take on a median of $25,415 in debt.
A rank of #4 makes Mississippi College one of the top graduate schools in Mississippi. Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit school based in Clinton, MS. Mississippi College posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,500. Mississippi College graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,611. Typical student debt is $25,510.
William Carey University came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Mississippi. Based in Hattiesburg, MS, William Carey University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,292 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,079.
Belhaven University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, MS. Belhaven University graduates 48% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,250. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $42,485. The median student debt is $34,181.
Jackson State University landed the #7 spot in Mississippi this year. Based in Jackson, MS, Jackson State University is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,965, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $38,593. The median student debt is $32,944.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Graduate schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.