There are many reasons to study at one of the best community colleges in Mississippi. Tuition prices are affordable, the quality of education is high, and various job opportunities will await you after you graduate. Community colleges are a great way to break into many fields or earn credits that can be used to help earn a bachelor’s degree.
This article on community colleges in Mississippi can help you get started on your educational journey. We’ll cover information on the top schools, their best programs, the best online community colleges in Mississippi, and other details that can help you make the right choice. You will also learn about some of the job and transfer opportunities that you can pursue after graduation.
How Many Community Colleges Are in Mississippi?
There are 15 community colleges in Mississippi. These schools offer over 250 combined programs of study and enroll approximately 98,000 students annually. They offer certificate programs, associate degree programs, and workforce development programs in many fields of study.
How Many Community College Districts Are in Mississippi?
There are 15 community college districts in Mississippi. These districts somewhat evenly break up the state of Mississippi. They are Northwest, Northeast, Itawamba, Coahoma, Holmes, Copiah-Lincoln, East Central, Hinds, East Mississippi, Southwest, Jones, Pearl River, Gulf Coast, Meridian, and Mississippi Delta.
What Is the Biggest Community College in Mississippi?
The biggest community college in Mississippi is Hinds Community College with about 12,000 enrolled students. This school offers over 20 academic programs and over 70 career and technical programs to satisfy the needs of its large student body. Hinds has over 700 faculty members as well as 447 academic courses that are guaranteed to transfer to Mississippi universities.
What Are the Best Community Colleges in Mississippi?
| Ranking | Community College | Graduation Rate | Student-to-Faculty Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | 50% | 20:1 |
| 2 | Itawamba Community College | 50% | 20:1 |
| 3 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | 44% | 21:1 |
| 4 | Southwest Mississippi Community College | 41% | 24:1 |
| 5 | East Central Community College | 41% | 18:1 |
| 6 | East Mississippi Community College | 40% | 19:1 |
| 7 | Northeast Mississippi Community College | 39% | 22:1 |
| 8 | Holmes Community College | 39% | 17:1 |
| 9 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | 37% | 20:1 |
| 10 | Coahoma Community College | 26% | 18:1 |
The Best Community Colleges in Mississippi: Explained
It can be overwhelming to know where to begin when you’re applying to college. In this article, we’re not only focusing on the best community colleges in Kansas but we’re looking specifically at metrics that will help you weigh your options. In the next section, we dive into graduation rates, tuition costs, and data about enrollment and faculty.
Best Online Community Colleges in Mississippi
- Hinds Community College. This school offers over 500 fully online courses during different periods of the year including fall, summer, and spring. Students can choose from the many fully online career and technical programs and academic programs that the school offers.
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College. This is one of the best online community colleges in Mississippi because it offers 33 fully online associate degree programs. Students can choose from different fields of study, including health sciences, business, and technical career programs.
- Holmes Community College. Holmes Community College offers various fully online programs from accounting and education to cosmetology and music. Students can choose their preferred program based on the period of the year they want to enroll.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Other Mississippi Community College Rankings
There are many ways to rank community colleges in Mississippi. Every school has its own strengths and weaknesses. This section ranks community colleges in Mississippi in terms of transfer programs and nursing degree programs.
Best Community Colleges in Mississippi for Transfer
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Copiah-Lincoln Community College offers multiple transfer programs that allow students to use credits earned during their associate degree programs to count towards bachelor’s degrees at four-year universities. The school has agreements with the eight public universities in Mississippi, which makes it possible for graduates of this school to easily transfer.
- Northwest Mississippi Community College. Northwest Mississippi Community College offers academic pathway programs that allow students to transfer all the credits earned during their programs to four-year universities for full credit. This is possible due to the articulation agreement that the school has with all public four-year institutions in the country.
- Itawamba Community College. Itawamba Community College’s academic programs are designed to prepare students to transfer to bachelor’s degree programs. The school uses the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool to help its students transfer to four-year colleges easily.
Best Community Colleges for Nursing in Mississippi
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College. The nursing program offered by Copiah-Lincoln Community College is designed to prepare students for careers as registered nurses. It instills in its students the knowledge and skills needed to operate in the state and land entry-level roles after graduation.
- Coahoma Community College. The Associate Degree in Nursing program offered by Coahoma Community College is designed specifically for qualified licensed practical nurses who want to become RNs. The program can be completed in two years and enables students to take the national licensure exam and apply to entry-level registered nursing roles after graduation
- Southwest Mississippi Community College. Southwest Mississippi Community College offers a nursing program that prepares students to start entry-level jobs as registered nurses. The program will train students to become professionals who can adapt to the healthcare system. It includes classwork, as well as clinical and lab experience.
Best Mississippi Community Colleges That Offer Bachelor’s Degrees
Best Associate Degrees
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Best Community College Programs in Mississippi
The best community college programs in Mississippi are paralegal studies, computer programming, nursing, health information technology, and engineering. These programs will help students start rewarding careers after getting their degrees. Credits earned through these programs can also be used to transfer to four-year universities and colleges. Find out more below.
Paralegal Studies
Paralegal studies is one of the most common associate degree programs undertaken at community colleges in Mississippi. The program will prepare students to join the workforce after graduation or transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. Students in this field can work as legal assistants, legal secretaries, paralegals, and executive assistants in law firms, courts, and government agencies.
Computer Programming
An Associate Degree in Computer Programming will prepare you for a career in information technology. The type of program will equip you with the skills needed to work as a professional programmer and will cover areas of study like programming languages, web development, and database administration. Some programs may also have pathways in multiple fields of computer programming to allow students to choose an area of concentration.
Nursing
Nursing is one of the most popular professions in most parts of the world. With an Associate Degree in Nursing, you can break into the healthcare field and start a promising career. The nursing programs offered by community colleges in Mississippi are typically designed to prepare students to take the national licensure exam to become registered nurses.
Health Information Technology
Health information technology is the application of information technology to the healthcare sector. Professionals in this field design technology that can be used to advance the healthcare system. This kind of work includes projects like designing software that can store patients’ data and keep track of their medical records.
Engineering
With an Associate Degree in Engineering, you can work as an engineering technician, machinist, or IT consultant. Contrary to popular opinion, a bachelor’s degree is not the only way to break into this field. However, those that would prefer to have a bachelor’s degree can transfer the credits earned during their AS/AAS program to count toward their degree at a four-year college.
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Mississippi Community College Admission Requirements
It can be overwhelming to apply to college, especially if you’ve never gone through the process before. However, admissions requirements to attend community college are usually fairly straightforward. In Mississippi, requirements are usually limited to an official high school transcript or GED, ACT/SAT scores, proof of residency, placement tests, proof of age, and the completion of an online application.
Mississippi Community College GPA Requirements
The majority of community colleges in Mississippi do not have a minimum GPA requirement to get accepted into the school. However, some courses require incoming students to have a minimum of 2.0 or 2.5 GPA to enroll in certain programs. These requirements differ by school, and prospective students who want to enroll will have to check for the specific program requirements.
Residency Requirements for Community Colleges in Mississippi
Residency requirements are one of the most common admission requirements for community colleges in Mississippi. The main distinction between being a resident and an out-of-state student at a community college in Mississippi is the difference in tuition cost. In-state students typically have cheaper tuition fees than out-of-state students. For instance, Northeast Mississippi Community College charges $1,825 for in-state students and $3,465 for out-of-state students.
Mississippi Community College Age Requirements
The minimum age requirement for admission into a Mississippi community college is 18 years. However, there may be exceptions for students under 18 who have had outstanding academic performance and are over 16. These students may be accepted depending on the college policy.
Mississippi Community College Admission Requirements: A Summary
- Official high school transcript or equivalent
- GPA requirement
- ACT/SAT scores
- Online application
- Placement test
- Age requirement of 18 years old
Why Study in Mississippi?
You should study in Mississippi because of the low tuition prices, top-notch educational institutions, and numerous job opportunities. These are a few of the factors that make Mississippi stand out as an excellent state to pursue higher education. Find out more below.
Affordable Tuition
Mississippi is one of the most affordable states in the US in terms of higher education. The average annual tuition rate in Mississippi is only $8,814, which is $6,106 lower than the US average tuition rate. This means you’ll pay significantly less for your associate or bachelor’s degree in Mississippi than you’d pay in most other states.
Educational Institutions
One of the reasons to study in Mississippi is the quality of its educational institutions. Community colleges in Mississippi are not only affordable. They also offer strong programs with good faculties.
Job Opportunities
There are many job opportunities available to college graduates in Mississippi. Graduates can explore various fields after completing their degrees, and can find employment in many different industries. The schools in the state prepare students to enter the workforce, which makes it easier for graduates to excel quickly when they enter the workforce.
Mississippi Employment Outlook for Community College Students
The Mississippi employment outlook for community college students is good. There are numerous employment opportunities that community college students can explore after graduation. Some fields with particularly strong outlooks are hospitality, transportation, manufacturing, construction, and finance.
5 In-Demand Mississippi Jobs
This section covers some of the most in-demand Mississippi jobs. These are mainly jobs that can be acquired with an associate degree. However, some of them may require a bachelor’s degree.
What Community Colleges in Mississippi Have Dorms?
The community colleges in Mississippi with dorms are East Mississippi Community College, Hinds Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Northwest Mississippi Community College. Living on campus makes it easier for students to access school and study resources. It also helps to reduce costs as there is no daily commute.
Mississippi Community Colleges With Dorms
- East Mississippi Community College
- Hinds Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
What Community Colleges Offer Winter Intersession in Mississippi?
The community colleges that offer winter intersession in Mississippi are Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi State University. Winter intersessions are classes that are offered in the winter period, typically when the regular school session is over. Students who take these classes will be able to get ahead of their classes, graduate earlier, and save on tuition costs.
Mississippi Community Colleges With Winter Intersession
- Copiah-Lincoln Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Mississippi State University
What Community Colleges in Mississippi Have Summer Classes?
The community colleges in Mississippi that have summer classes are East Mississippi Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, and Southwest Mississippi Community College. Summer classes help students get up to date with their classes, stay ahead of their peers, graduate early, and save money. This is one of the things you might want to consider when choosing your college.
Mississippi Community Colleges With Summer Classes
- East Mississippi Community College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College
How to Apply to Community College in Mississippi
You can apply to a community college in Mississippi by completing an online application and submitting all required documents like high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores. If you are accepted, you may have to complete a placement test for your desired program. Afterward, you will apply for financial aid, attend the organized orientation, register for classes, and pay your tuition and fees.
Mississippi Community College Application Steps
- Complete your online application.
- Submit your official high school transcript.
- Submit your ACT/SAT scores.
- Take your placement test.
- Apply for financial aid.
- Attend orientation.
- Register for classes.
- Pay tuition and fees.
Cost of Community Colleges in Mississippi
The average annual cost of community colleges in Mississippi is $3,432 for in-state students and $5,835 for out-of-state students. This amount may differ based on the school, program, and learning format. For instance, the tuition for all students in Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is $165 per semester hour. On the other hand, Coahoma Community College charges $1,525 per semester for in-state students and $1,550 per semester for out-of-state students.
Are Community Colleges Ever Free in Mississippi?
Community colleges are not free in Mississippi. However, students who demonstrate significant financial need can often attend community colleges in Mississippi at no cost. This happens through a combination of grants, scholarships, or other kinds of financial aid.
Which Community Colleges Are Free in Mississippi?
There are no community colleges that are free in Mississippi, but Northeast Mississippi Community College offers The Northeast Promise, which covers the remaining tuition and mandatory fees left after students have received financial aid.
Who Qualifies for Free Community College in Mississippi?
Students that may qualify for free community college in Mississippi, particularly in Northeast Mississippi Community College, are those that meet the eligibility requirements. First of all, they will have to demonstrate great financial need.
They will also have to provide proof of residency, proof of high school graduation or equivalent, proof of admission to the school, a completed FAFSA form, a completed online application, a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and a major in a Career and Technical Education program.
Scholarships for Community Colleges in Mississippi
There are many scholarships for community colleges in Mississippi that students can consider when applying. They are offered by government agencies, private organizations, charity foundations, and even private providers. This section looks more closely at these scholarship opportunities.
How to Get a Scholarship for Community Colleges in Mississippi
- Apply to your preferred community college.
- Get accepted.
- Search for available scholarship opportunities.
- Check for the eligibility requirements.
- Complete the necessary steps.
- Apply for the scholarship.
Mississippi Community College Scholarships List
- The Northeast Promise | Amount: Varies. This is a last-dollar scholarship designed for students enrolled in career and technical programs at Northeast Mississippi Community College. The scholarship is designed to cover the tuition and mandatory fees of these students and has eligibility requirements.
- Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant | Amount: $500. This scholarship was designed by the Mississippi legislature for residents of Mississippi who attend public or private higher education institutions in the state. To be eligible, students must not have any federal financial aid.
- Nissan Scholarship | Amount: Varies. This scholarship is for students who want to attend a two-year or four-year institution in Mississippi. The selection process includes the examination of academic achievement, extracurricular activities, a signed 200-word essay, and demonstrated financial need. The scholarship may last for the duration of the students’ education.
Other Mississippi Community College Financial Aid Options
There are multiple Mississippi community college financial aid options for students who need them. These financial aid opportunities may cover the students’ full tuition or part of it. Some of them are gifted to the student, while others require repayment with interest. Below are common financial assistance options for students at community colleges in Mississippi.
Federal Grants
A federal grant is a type of financial aid awarded to students by the federal government to help cover tuition and other schooling expenses. Money given to students via grants never has to be repaid. This makes it an excellent type of financial aid.
Mississippi Grants
The state of Mississippi has three undergraduate grant programs to help students cover their tuition and mandatory fees. HELP awards full tuition to students in financial need. MTAG awards students specific different amounts. MESG awards students $2,500 if they have high test scores or GPAs.
Student Loans
Student loans are lent money given by the federal government or private lenders to help students cover the cost of tuition and the cost of living. The amount given will vary based on the student’s financial need and will have to be repaid after graduation. The repayment comes with interest which differs based on the lender and may increase as time passes.
Tuition Waivers
Tuition waivers are offered by colleges to help cover certain percentages of tuition. This allows students to pay less than the original tuition and doesn’t require repayment. However, it can only be used for tuition and no other school expenses. The specific amount waived will depend on the school and its policy.
Federal Work-Study
Federal work-study is a form of financial assistance that allows students to work and earn money to cover their education expenses. The jobs may be on-campus or off-campus. The money earned during the program is expected to go into your education. The jobs may also be related to your field of study or completely unrelated.
The Best Financial Aid for Your Situation
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What Are the Financial Aid Requirements for Community Colleges in Mississippi?
Financial aid requirements for community colleges in Mississippi depend on the type of financial aid. In general, institutions and bodies disbursing financial aid require students to be in good academic standing, enrolled in a community college, meet an age requirement, demonstrate financial need, prove legal residency, and have high school diplomas or GEDs. However, always remember to double-check requirements and necessary documentation.
Mississippi Financial Aid Requirements: Overview
- Proof of good academic standing
- Enrollment in a community college
- Proof of age requirement
- Proof of financial need
- Proof of legal residency
- High school diploma or GED
Should You Attend Community College in Mississippi?
Yes, you should attend a community college in Mississippi. The best community colleges in Mississippi are cheaper than other similar schools, offer top-notch educational experiences, have numerous programs to choose from, have excellent transfer programs and terms, and provide career services to help students navigate the job market after graduation. These factors can help students pursue rewarding careers and transfer to four-year colleges for bachelor’s degrees.
Mississippi Community College Rankings: Methodology
Our ranking of Mississippi community colleges is based mainly on graduation rate. If graduation rate statistics were not available, we used data on student-to-faculty ratios to rank the remaining schools. These figures, sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), best reflect a student’s chances of getting the education and help they need to succeed.
Best Accelerated Degrees
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Best Mississippi Community Colleges FAQ
According to the Mississippi Community College Board, community colleges in Mississippi are funded by state appropriations, student tuition and fees, and local property taxes.
The number one community college in Mississippi is Copiah-Lincoln Community College. This school has a graduation rate of 50 percent and a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1. It also offers various programs ranging from career certificate programs to associate degree programs to workforce development training programs.
Mississippi is known for historical museums and monuments, catfish, blues music, medical discoveries, and magnolias. It has also produced some of the most notable authors in the country, including William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams. Mississippi also offers beautiful natural landscapes and a warm coastal climate.
Yes, Mississippi is a good place to study. It offers high-quality affordable education. It is also very safe, has many job opportunities, unique culture, and exciting history.
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