Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Mississippi

Mississippi Valley State University delivers the most affordable Liberal Arts education in the state at $11,812 annually, nearly half the cost of private alternatives like Belhaven University at $22,078. The University of Mississippi stands out with graduates earning $26,353 within two years, significantly above the state range, while maintaining reasonable costs at $13,164. Mississippi's teacher shortage crisis creates strong placement opportunities for Liberal Arts graduates entering education, with the state's Eminent Scholars Grant covering full tuition for high achievers. Public institutions dominate affordability, with eight of the twelve programs costing under $16,000 per year.

Programs

$11,812 – $22,078

Net Price Range

$22,279

Avg. Program Earnings

45.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, Mississippi	$11,812	$7,912	22.1%	64.8%
2	University of Mississippi University, Mississippi	$13,164	$9,412	68.5%	97.4%
3	Mississippi University for Women Columbus, Mississippi	$13,198	$8,092	37.8%	99.1%
4	Delta State University Cleveland, Mississippi	$13,778	$8,605	46.9%	98.6%
5	Alcorn State University Alcorn State, Mississippi	$14,040	$8,549	46.2%	29.9%
6	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$14,224	$9,618	50.6%	98.8%
7	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
8	Tougaloo College Tougaloo, Mississippi	$15,663	$11,398	32.3%	49.3%
9	William Carey University Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$17,052	$14,685	40.8%	53.6%
10	Blue Mountain Christian University Blue Mountain, Mississippi	$18,062	$19,280	51.2%	95.7%
11	Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi	$20,191	$9,090	32.2%	88.6%
12	Belhaven University Jackson, Mississippi	$22,078	$29,195	51.1%	42.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between Mississippi's cheapest and most expensive Liberal Arts programs?

Mississippi Valley State University costs $11,812 annually while Belhaven University reaches $22,078, creating a $10,266 gap. Public institutions average around $14,000 compared to private schools that can exceed $20,000. The state's low cost of living helps keep public university expenses manageable across all programs.

How do graduation rates compare across Mississippi's most affordable Liberal Arts programs?

The University of Mississippi leads with a 68.50% graduation rate despite costing only $13,164 annually. Mississippi Valley State University, the cheapest option, shows a 22.10% graduation rate. Mid-range schools like Mississippi State University achieve 62.90% graduation rates at $15,501 per year.

Does earning potential justify the cost differences between these programs?

University of Mississippi graduates earn $26,353 within two years while costing $13,164 annually, offering strong return on investment. University of Southern Mississippi graduates earn $18,154 but at similar costs of $14,224. The earnings gap reaches $8,199 between the highest and lowest reported salaries.

Where do Mississippi's Liberal Arts graduates find the best job opportunities?

The state's teacher shortage creates immediate placement for education-focused graduates, particularly in rural districts. Major employers like University of Mississippi Medical Center and Ingalls Shipbuilding hire Liberal Arts graduates for administrative and communications roles. Mississippi's low cost of living makes entry-level salaries around $18,000-$26,000 more viable than in other states.

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