With all of the graduate school options in Mississippi, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **10** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 10 graduate schools on more than 20 objective measures 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.
Starting Salaries
This is how starting salaries are distributed among the top-ranked graduate schools:
University Of Mississippi Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best graduate schools in Mississippi. Based in University, MS, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,876. University Of Mississippi Main Campus students take on a median of $22,444 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Mississippi State University earned it the #2 place in Mississippi. This public school is set in Mississippi State, MS. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,383. Typical student debt is $23,969.
A rank of #3 makes Mississippi College one of the top graduate schools in Mississippi. Based in Clinton, MS, Mississippi College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mississippi College graduates 59% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Mississippi College graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,611. Mississippi College students take on a median of $25,510 in debt.
You'll be in good company at University Of Southern Mississippi, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Hattiesburg, MS, University Of Southern Mississippi is a public institution. University Of Southern Mississippi posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,338. University Of Southern Mississippi students take on a median of $25,415 in debt.
Out of the 10 graduate schools in Mississippi in this year's ranking, Mississippi University For Women landed the #5 spot. Set in Columbus, MS, Mississippi University For Women is a public institution. Mississippi University For Women graduates 47% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,492. Mississippi University For Women graduates report median early-career earnings of $42,756. Students borrow a median of $24,509 to complete a degree here.
William Carey University placed #6 among the best graduate schools in Mississippi. Located in Hattiesburg, MS, William Carey University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,292. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete a degree here.
Millsaps College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Jackson, MS. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $44,680. Early-career graduates earn a median of $39,765. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Delta State University landed the #8 spot in Mississippi this year. Located in Cleveland, MS, Delta State University is a public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,580. Typical student debt is $23,432.
Belhaven University placed #9 among the best graduate schools in Mississippi. Belhaven University is a private not-for-profit school based in Jackson, MS. Belhaven University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,485 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $34,181 in student loans.
Alcorn State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Alcorn State University is a public school based in Alcorn State, MS. Alcorn State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,674 to complete a degree here.
Blue Mountain College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Blue Mountain, MS, Blue Mountain College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,180. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,823 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete a degree here.
Jackson State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Jackson, MS, Jackson State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,965, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $38,593. Typical student debt is $32,944.
Mississippi Valley State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Itta Bena, MS. Mississippi Valley State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 27%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,692.
Strayer University Mississippi ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Jackson, MS, Strayer University Mississippi is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,506. Students borrow a median of $47,631 to complete a degree here.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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).
With all of the graduate school options in Mississippi, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **10** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
