We rank all 32 Mississippi institutions we profile by payback years — total net cost divided by earnings above the $48,360 high-school baseline. The state's median net price is $9,015/yr (below the $16,902 national median), and its graduates earn a median $33,687 ten years out (below the $43,549 national median). Millsaps College leads, clearing its cost in 19 years. (Scorecard, 2026.)
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · ranking and payback are our math. Payback uses institution-wide earnings; a specific major can rank very differently.
Colleges in Mississippi: frequently asked questions
Which college has the best ROI in Mississippi?
Millsaps College. It charges $26,034/yr after aid and its graduates earn a median $53,848 ten years out, clearing the cost in about 19 years — the fastest payback of the 32 Mississippi colleges we track.
How much does college cost in Mississippi?
The median net price across Mississippi colleges is $9,015/yr after grants and scholarships — below the $16,902 national median. That is the actual price the typical aided student pays, not the published sticker.
What do Mississippi college graduates earn?
A median $33,687 ten years after entry (Scorecard), below the $43,549 national median. Earnings vary widely by school and major — see each college's profile for its own figure.
How many Mississippi colleges pay for themselves?
3 of the 32 Mississippi colleges we track clear their cost on institution-wide earnings above the high-school baseline. The rest need a high-ROI major to pay off — the school average alone does not.