Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Mississippi

Mississippi's teacher education programs reveal sharp divides in both cost and outcomes. While Rust College delivers the state's most affordable option at $8,751 annually, Mississippi College commands $20,911 but produces graduates earning $35,416. Public universities cluster around $13,000-15,000 in net costs, yet graduation rates span from 22% at Mississippi Valley State to 68% at Ole Miss. This variation matters significantly in Mississippi, where persistent teacher shortages across rural and urban districts create immediate job opportunities for education graduates, particularly those specializing in high-need subjects like mathematics and special education.

Programs

$8,751 – $20,911

Net Price Range

$31,900

Avg. Program Earnings

44.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Mississippi University, Mississippi	$13,164	$33,993	$9,412	68.5%	97.4%
2	Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, Mississippi	$11,812	$28,019	$7,912	22.1%	64.8%
3	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$34,420	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
4	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$14,224	$30,409	$9,618	50.6%	98.8%
5	Mississippi College Clinton, Mississippi	$20,911	$35,416	$21,698	62.8%	40.0%
6	Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi	$20,191	$29,141	$9,090	32.2%	88.6%
7	Alcorn State University Alcorn State, Mississippi	$14,040		$8,549	46.2%	29.9%
8	Blue Mountain Christian University Blue Mountain, Mississippi	$18,062		$19,280	51.2%	95.7%
9	Delta State University Cleveland, Mississippi	$13,778		$8,605	46.9%	98.6%
10	Mississippi University for Women Columbus, Mississippi	$13,198		$8,092	37.8%	99.1%
11	Rust College Holly Springs, Mississippi	$8,751		$13,840	27.0%	78.8%
12	Tougaloo College Tougaloo, Mississippi	$15,663		$11,398	32.3%	49.3%
13	William Carey University Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$17,052		$14,685	40.8%	53.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $12,000 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Rust College offers the lowest net price at $8,751, while Mississippi College reaches $20,911 as a private institution. Public universities like Ole Miss and Mississippi State fall in between at $13,164 and $15,501 respectively, demonstrating how institutional type drives pricing more than program quality.

How do graduation rates correlate with earning potential in Mississippi teacher education?

Schools with higher graduation rates don't always produce higher-earning graduates. Ole Miss boasts a 68% graduation rate with $33,993 average earnings, while Mississippi College graduates only 63% of students but they earn $35,416. Mississippi Valley State's 22% graduation rate corresponds with the lowest earnings at $28,019.

Is debt load manageable for Mississippi teacher education graduates?

Average debt ranges from $15,750 at Mississippi State to $26,000 at Mississippi College. With starting teacher salaries in Mississippi averaging around $30,000-35,000, graduates face debt-to-income ratios that require careful financial planning, especially at higher-cost private institutions.

Does Mississippi's low cost of living offset lower teacher salaries for education graduates?

Mississippi's status as the lowest cost-of-living state helps stretch teacher salaries of $28,019-35,416. Housing costs significantly below national averages mean education graduates can maintain reasonable living standards, while teacher shortage bonuses and loan forgiveness programs provide additional financial incentives.

More Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Rankings

Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas in Mississippi Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Under $20,000 in Mississippi

All Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs Best Colleges in Mississippi Best Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas in Mississippi

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.