State Hub

Colleges in Mississippi

CampusPin tracks 34 colleges in Mississippi — 18 universities and 16 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

34

Universities

18

Community colleges

16

Avg. in-state tuition

$9.4k

About college search in Mississippi

How Mississippi's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Mississippi’s public higher-education sector includes eight public universities under the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) Board, plus 15 community and junior colleges coordinated by the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB). The University of Mississippi (Oxford — often referred to as Ole Miss) and Mississippi State University (Starkville) are the state’s two major flagships, with the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) as a third major research university. Mississippi has three public HBCUs — Jackson State, Alcorn State, and Mississippi Valley State — and the state has one of the deeper concentrations of HBCUs per capita in the U.S.

Two flagships: Ole Miss and Mississippi State

The University of Mississippi (Oxford) and Mississippi State University (Starkville) are the state’s two major public research universities — Ole Miss is the broader flagship; Mississippi State is the land-grant.

Three public HBCUs

Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, and Mississippi Valley State University are Mississippi’s three public HBCUs.

15 community colleges

The Mississippi Community College Board coordinates 15 community and junior colleges with one of the highest in-state public CC enrollment rates per capita in the U.S.

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant

MTAG and HELP grants reduce in-state public tuition for eligible students. Verify current details with the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.

Public university system

Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) — 8 universities

IHL governs Mississippi’s 8 public universities: Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Mississippi University for Women, Delta State, Jackson State (HBCU), Alcorn State (HBCU), and Mississippi Valley State (HBCU).

Community college network

Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB) — 15 colleges

MCCB coordinates Mississippi’s 15 community and junior colleges with formal transfer paths via the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool (MATT).

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Mississippi in-state public tuition is among the lower rates in the U.S. Out-of-state rates are higher; verify with the institution.

Top metros for college search

Where Mississippi's higher-education density concentrates

  • Jackson

    Jackson hosts Jackson State University (HBCU), Belhaven (private), Millsaps (private), Tougaloo (private HBCU), and Hinds Community College.

  • Oxford

    Oxford is built around the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), the state’s public flagship.

  • Starkville

    Starkville is the home of Mississippi State University, the state’s land-grant institution.

  • Hattiesburg

    Hattiesburg is the home of the University of Southern Mississippi.

South region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Mississippi

Across Mississippi (MS), CampusPin currently indexes 34 institutions: 23 public and 11 private, split between 18 universities and 16 community colleges. Students often compare fast-growing metros, flagship publics, regional campuses, and cost-sensitive pathways across a wide mix of institutions.

Run one search for broad public options and another for community-college or commuter-oriented pathways.
Check campus setting and support services early because regional fit can vary more than names alone suggest.
Keep cost, transfer, and online flexibility visible if location is important but not completely fixed.

Browse by major

Mississippi colleges by program

Jump straight to Mississippi colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Mississippi.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Mississippi

Filter all Mississippi schools

How to use the Mississippi hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Mississippi so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Mississippi

Explore all colleges in MississippiView community colleges in MississippiView online programs in MississippiRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Mississippi

Which is the public flagship university in Mississippi?
The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford is generally considered the state’s primary public flagship. Mississippi State University in Starkville is the state’s land-grant institution. Both are major public research universities.
How many HBCUs are in Mississippi?
Mississippi has seven federally designated HBCUs: three public four-year (Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University), two private four-year (Tougaloo College, Rust College), and two public two-year (Coahoma Community College and the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College). Mississippi has one of the deeper HBCU concentrations per capita in the U.S.
How does the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant work?
The Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) covers a portion of tuition at eligible Mississippi public institutions for in-state students who do not receive the federal Pell Grant. The Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP) grant covers a larger share for needier students. Verify current details with the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.
What is the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool?
The Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool (MATT) is the state’s online tool for course-equivalency lookups between community colleges and public four-year universities. Students can plan transfer credits before enrolling.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Mississippi search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Mississippi

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.