Copiah-Lincoln Community College: $4,000 Tuition

$4,000Tuition

1,948Students

52%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$31,241Earnings

#5 in MississippiPublic2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Copiah-Lincoln Community College

Copiah-Lincoln Community College has built a reputation as Mississippi's top athletic junior college since opening in 1928. The Wolves compete in 10 varsity sports with 216 total athletes, backed by $847,520 in athletic scholarships. This rural campus serves 1,948 students in the heart of Mississippi, where the college's strong baseball and softball programs have produced numerous Division I transfers. The school draws from across the state but keeps its community feel with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio.

Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,732 after aid, making this one of Mississippi's most affordable college options. Even middle-income families with earnings between $30,000-$48,000 pay only $2,663 net price. Graduates carry a median debt of just $7,435 with monthly payments of $79. Ten years after graduation, median earnings reach $31,241, providing solid returns on a modest investment in rural Mississippi's job market.

The student body reflects Mississippi's diversity with 52.77% white and 41.48% Black students. Women make up nearly 60% of enrollment, typical for community colleges nationwide. With 595 housing spots available, this residential experience sets Co-Lin apart from most two-year institutions. The 51.60% six-year graduation rate shows decent completion for students who often balance work and family obligations.

Academics & Faculty

Co-Lin offers career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment or transfer to four-year universities. The college operates with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, providing reasonable access to instructors across its associate degree and certificate programs. Students can choose from traditional academic tracks plus technical programs in areas like nursing, business, and automotive technology. The 51.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family obligations. Co-Lin serves as a stepping stone for students seeking affordable higher education, with 92.5% of enrollment coming from Mississippi residents. The college emphasizes hands-on learning through its technical programs and maintains strong connections with local employers.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 51.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $31,241

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Associate	$53,810
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$53,358
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$52,107
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$36,848
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$22,420
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$18,771
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$18,647
Ground Transportation.	Certificate	$18,540
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Associate	$17,128

View all 72 programs →

Campus Life

Co-Lin sits in the piney woods of south-central Mississippi, about 30 miles south of Jackson. With housing capacity for 595 students and total enrollment of 1,948, roughly 30% of students live on campus in this close-knit rural setting. The Wolves compete in 10 NJCAA sports with 216 total athletes, making athletics a visible part of campus life.

Mississippi's humid subtropical climate means hot, sticky summers and mild winters where a light jacket suffices. Students gather around the baseball and softball diamonds, where Co-Lin has built a strong reputation over decades. The 92.47% in-state student body creates a distinctly Mississippi atmosphere. Weekends often revolve around athletic events, outdoor activities in the surrounding forest, or trips to Jackson for shopping and entertainment. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio keeps classes personal despite the rural setting. Greek life and student organizations provide social outlets, while the small-town Wesson community offers limited but familiar amenities. Many students appreciate the slower pace after graduating from small Mississippi high schools.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 595 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1928

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Arson	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 39°–58°F
July Avg: 71°–90°F
Annual Precipitation: 61.6"
Annual Snowfall: 0.1"

Student Demographics

Co-Lin draws students from across Mississippi, with over 90% coming from in-state communities seeking affordable career preparation. The student body is nearly 60% women, reflecting the college's strong programs in nursing, education, and health sciences that traditionally attract female students. About four in ten students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families looking for practical job training. The diverse racial makeup mirrors rural Mississippi demographics, with roughly equal numbers of white and Black students finding pathways to careers in healthcare, trades, and transfer programs.

Men: 40.0%
Women: 60.0%
White: 52.8%
Black: 41.5%
Hispanic: 2.8%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 92.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 38.4%

Location

Copiah-Lincoln Community College sits in Wesson, Mississippi, about 30 miles south of Jackson. The campus serves a rural area in the heart of south-central Mississippi's pine forests and farmland. Wesson itself is a small town of fewer than 2,000 people, giving students a close-knit community feel. With 92.47% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from surrounding rural counties. The area offers outdoor recreation opportunities like fishing and hunting, reflecting the region's agricultural heritage. Students get a traditional small-town college experience far from urban distractions. Students considering colleges in Mississippi may also compare Copiah-Lincoln Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Wesson, Mississippi 39191

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $31,241
Median Earnings (5 years): $35,477
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 41.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $79/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $7,435

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Copiah-Lincoln Community College?

Community colleges typically have open enrollment policies, making Co-Lin accessible to all high school graduates or GED holders. The college serves 1,948 students primarily from Mississippi, with 92.47% coming from in-state. Founded in 1928, Co-Lin has built a reputation as a stepping stone for students beginning their higher education journey in rural Mississippi.

How much does Copiah-Lincoln Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,472 annually, making Co-Lin one of the most affordable college options in Mississippi. In-state tuition runs just $4,000, while families earning under $30,000 pay only $2,732 after aid. With 38.38% of students receiving Pell Grants and low median debt of $7,435, the college prioritizes affordability for working-class families.

What are the academics like at Copiah-Lincoln Community College?

Classes average 20 students per faculty member, providing more personal attention than many four-year universities. The college operates on a semester system and maintains strong transfer partnerships with Mississippi universities. Co-Lin focuses on workforce development and transfer preparation, helping students either enter careers directly or continue their education.

What do graduates of Copiah-Lincoln Community College earn after completing their programs?

Graduates earn a median of $31,241 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's role in preparing students for middle-class careers. The employment rate reaches 100%, showing strong job placement success. Monthly loan payments average just $79, making the financial investment manageable for most graduates.

Where is Copiah-Lincoln Community College located and what is campus life like?

The main campus sits in Wesson, Mississippi, deep in rural Lincoln County about an hour south of Jackson. Housing accommodates 595 students in a close-knit campus environment. With 59.96% women and a diverse student body that is 52.77% white and 41.48% Black, Co-Lin reflects the demographics of rural Mississippi.

Does Copiah-Lincoln Community College have strong athletics programs?

The Wolves compete in 10 varsity sports through the NJCAA with 216 total student-athletes. The college invests $847,520 in athletic scholarships, demonstrating a serious commitment to sports programs. Co-Lin athletics serve as both a recruiting tool and a source of community pride in rural Mississippi, where high school and college sports are central to local culture.