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$3,490Tuition
1,314Students
38%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$24,289Earnings
#21 in MississippiPublic2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24HBCU

About Coahoma Community College

The Mississippi Delta has shaped American music, and Coahoma Community College sits at its heart in Clarksdale. This historically Black institution serves 1,314 students in the rural community where blues legends like Muddy Waters and Sam Cooke got their start. The college maintains strong ties to the region's agricultural heritage while preparing students for modern careers through workforce development programs.

Students here get an strong financial deal. The average net price is just $560 after aid, making this one of the most affordable colleges in America. Nearly 60% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's commitment to serving low-income families. Graduates earn a median of $24,289 ten years after starting college. While those earnings are modest, the minimal debt burden means students aren't trapped by loan payments after graduation.

The student body is 94% Black and reflects the surrounding Delta community, with 93% coming from Mississippi. Women make up 59% of enrollment. The Tigers compete in seven NJCAA sports with 136 total athletes sharing over $622,000 in athletic scholarships. The 38% graduation rate within six years shows room for improvement, but the 95% employment rate demonstrates that graduates find work in the regional economy.

Academics & Faculty

Coahoma Community College serves as Mississippi's oldest historically black community college, deeply rooted in the Mississippi Delta's agricultural and cultural heritage. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention in a close-knit learning environment. The college offers career-focused programs in agriculture, business, health sciences, and liberal arts transfer pathways. Students benefit from strong workforce development connections to local industries and four-year university partnerships. The 38% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many first-generation college students face, but also demonstrates the college's commitment to supporting diverse learners. With 94% of students receiving some form of financial aid, Coahoma makes higher education accessible to families throughout the Delta region.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
17:1
Full-Time Faculty
71.9%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
38.2%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$24,289

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $58,673
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $18,680
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. Associate $15,288
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Associate $12,776
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. Certificate $10,529

View all 69 programs →

Campus Life

Mississippi Delta cotton fields stretch for miles around this historically Black community college campus. With housing for just 387 students and total enrollment at 1,314, most Tigers commute from nearby towns rather than live in the residence halls. The campus sits in Clarksdale, birthplace of the blues, about 75 miles south of Memphis. Students need shorts for the humid summers that stretch into October, plus a decent jacket for winter months when temperatures can dip into the 30s.

The 93.53% Black student body creates a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. Weekend activities often center around the seven varsity sports teams, with 136 total athletes competing in NJCAA divisions. Students frequently drive to Memphis for shopping and entertainment, or explore local blues history at the Delta Blues Museum. The rural-fringe setting means fewer campus parties and more family-style gatherings. Many students work part-time jobs in town, contributing to the 94.7% employment rate that includes both students and recent graduates.
Setting
Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity
387 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Founded
1924

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Domestic Violence 2 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
31°–49°F
July Avg
71°–90°F
Annual Precipitation
53.5"
Annual Snowfall
1.3"

Student Demographics

This historically Black community college draws almost entirely from Mississippi, with 93% of students coming from in-state. The student body is 94% Black, reflecting Coahoma's mission as an HBCU serving the Mississippi Delta region. Nearly 60% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college's commitment to providing affordable education to lower-income families. Women make up 59% of enrollment, which aligns with national trends at community colleges where female students often outnumber males. The strong local draw demonstrates Coahoma's deep roots in the Delta community it has served since 1924.
Men
41.3%
Women
58.8%
White
3.9%
Black
93.5%
Hispanic
0.5%
Asian
0.3%
In-State Students
93.4%
Pell Grant Recipients
59.4%

Location

Coahoma Community College sits in Clarksdale, Mississippi, about 75 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The campus serves the heart of the Mississippi Delta, a rural region famous as the birthplace of the blues. Clarksdale itself is home to roughly 15,000 residents and celebrates its musical heritage through venues like Ground Zero Blues Club. The surrounding Delta flatlands stretch for miles, dotted with cotton fields and small farming communities. With 93.38% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from local Mississippi communities. The rural-fringe setting offers a close-knit atmosphere where students can focus on academics without big-city distractions. Students considering colleges in Mississippi may also compare Coahoma Community College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$24,289
Median Earnings (5 years)
$25,344
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$20,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Coahoma Community College?

As a community college, Coahoma Community College maintains an open admission policy for students with high school diplomas or equivalent. The college serves 1,314 students with 93.38% coming from Mississippi. This historically black institution has been providing accessible higher education in the Mississippi Delta since 1924.

How much does Coahoma Community College cost after financial aid?

Students at Coahoma Community College pay an average net price of just $560 after financial aid. For families earning under $30,000, the net cost drops to only $303 per year. With 59.39% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college makes education extremely affordable for low-income students in rural Mississippi.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Coahoma Community College?

The student-faculty ratio at Coahoma Community College is 17:1, providing reasonable access to instructors. The college operates on a semester system and focuses on career preparation and transfer programs. Students benefit from small-town attention in this rural Delta community setting.

What are the employment outcomes for Coahoma Community College graduates?

Graduates of Coahoma Community College achieve a 94.7% employment rate, showing strong job placement success. However, median earnings after 10 years are $24,289, reflecting the economic realities of the rural Mississippi Delta region. The college's 38.20% six-year graduation rate aligns with typical community college completion patterns.

Does Coahoma Community College offer on-campus housing?

Coahoma Community College provides on-campus housing for 387 students at $4,920 per year for room and board. The residential experience is uncommon for community colleges but reflects the school's rural setting and student needs. Campus life includes seven varsity sports teams competing as the Tigers in NJCAA athletics.

What makes Coahoma Community College unique as an HBCU?

Coahoma Community College stands out as one of the few historically black community colleges in America, with 93.53% of students being African American. The college is located in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the birthplace of the blues, connecting students to rich cultural heritage. With 136 student athletes receiving $622,787 in athletic scholarships, sports provide important opportunities in this Delta community.