Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Mississippi

Rust College in Holly Springs offers the nation's most affordable teacher education program with a net price of just $8,751, while graduates across Mississippi's 14 programs earn between $19,455 and $34,269 annually. The state's teacher shortage crisis creates strong job placement opportunities, particularly in rural districts where 60% of teaching positions remain unfilled. Public universities like University of Mississippi deliver strong value with graduates earning $33,535 while maintaining a 68.5% graduation rate. Mississippi's low cost of living amplifies these modest salaries, making teaching careers financially viable even at entry-level positions.

Programs

$8,751 – $22,078

Net Price Range

$30,021

Avg. Program Earnings

45.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

14 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Rust College Holly Springs, Mississippi	$8,751	$13,840	27.0%	78.8%
2	Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, Mississippi	$11,812	$7,912	22.1%	64.8%
3	University of Mississippi University, Mississippi	$13,164	$9,412	68.5%	97.4%
4	Mississippi University for Women Columbus, Mississippi	$13,198	$8,092	37.8%	99.1%
5	Delta State University Cleveland, Mississippi	$13,778	$8,605	46.9%	98.6%
6	Alcorn State University Alcorn State, Mississippi	$14,040	$8,549	46.2%	29.9%
7	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$14,224	$9,618	50.6%	98.8%
8	Mississippi State University Mississippi State, Mississippi	$15,501	$9,815	62.9%	75.2%
9	Tougaloo College Tougaloo, Mississippi	$15,663	$11,398	32.3%	49.3%
10	William Carey University Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$17,052	$14,685	40.8%	53.6%
11	Blue Mountain Christian University Blue Mountain, Mississippi	$18,062	$19,280	51.2%	95.7%
12	Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi	$20,191	$9,090	32.2%	88.6%
13	Mississippi College Clinton, Mississippi	$20,911	$21,698	62.8%	40.0%
14	Belhaven University Jackson, Mississippi	$22,078	$29,195	51.1%	42.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Mississippi teacher education programs so affordable compared to other states?

Mississippi maintains the lowest cost of living in the nation, which keeps program costs down significantly. Public universities average $8,863 for in-state tuition, while even private options like Rust College charge just $13,840 annually.

How do graduation rates vary between the most and least expensive programs?

University of Mississippi graduates 68.5% of students at a $13,164 net cost, while more expensive Belhaven University achieves 51.1% at $22,078. The correlation between cost and completion rates varies widely, with some affordable options like Delta State achieving 46.9% graduation rates.

Does Mississippi State University offer better earning potential for education majors?

Mississippi State graduates earn $34,269 annually, the highest among all programs, despite a moderate $15,501 net cost. This represents a $14,814 salary advantage over the lowest-earning programs while requiring only $6,750 more in annual investment.

Where do most education graduates find employment in Mississippi?

Rural school districts hire 40% of new teachers, while urban areas like Jackson and Hattiesburg absorb another 35%. The state's chronic teacher shortage means 95% of education graduates find placement within six months of graduation.

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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.