Northwest Mississippi Community College: $3,660 Tuition

$3,660Tuition

5,181Students

42%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,396Earnings

#8 in MississippiPublic2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Northwest Mississippi Community College

Northwest Mississippi Community College builds careers through hands-on training and solid transfer preparation. The school serves 5,181 students in the small town of Senatobia, offering everything from nursing and welding to academic pathways toward four-year degrees. Students call themselves Rangers and compete in 14 varsity sports through the NCCAA. The college has anchored northwest Mississippi education since 1928.

Students pay an average net price of $7,665 after financial aid, with in-state tuition starting at just $3,660. Graduates earn a median of $36,396 ten years out, making the typical debt load of $6,500 very manageable. Monthly loan payments average only $69. The school keeps costs low while delivering practical skills that lead to steady employment.

The student body reflects the region's diversity, with 51% white students and 38% Black students. Women make up 62% of enrollment, typical for community colleges with strong health science programs. Nearly all students come from Mississippi, creating a tight-knit community feel. The 42% six-year graduation rate shows room for improvement, but the 94% employment rate proves graduates find work. Athletic scholarships total $575,000, supporting 262 student-athletes across all sports.

Academics & Faculty

Northwest Mississippi Community College serves as a career-focused stepping stone for students in rural Mississippi. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay manageable while instructors get to know their students personally. With a 42% graduation rate, the school successfully launches about two in five students into either four-year universities or directly into the workforce. The college emphasizes practical training in high-demand fields like nursing, welding, and automotive technology. Many students use Northwest as an affordable pathway to transfer to Mississippi universities after completing their core requirements. The school's dual mission balances career certification programs with traditional liberal arts courses needed for university transfer.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Full-Time Faculty: 54.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 42.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,396

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$56,133
Agricultural Mechanization.	Associate	$41,565
Precision Metal Working.	Associate	$40,647
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$32,569
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$29,685
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$29,092
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$22,192
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$22,192
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$19,531
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$18,315

View all 68 programs →

Campus Life

Rangers gather in this small Mississippi Delta town about an hour south of Memphis. With 1,237 housing spots for 5,181 students, only about 24% live on campus, making this primarily a commuter school. Women outnumber men 62% to 38%, and nearly 98% of students come from in-state. The humid subtropical climate means you'll need both winter coats for January lows in the 30s and plenty of sunscreen for summer heat that regularly tops 90 degrees.

Campus life revolves around the 14 varsity sports teams, with 262 student-athletes competing in NCCAA divisions. Weekend activities often center on baseball and softball games in spring or basketball during winter months. Many students work part-time jobs in Senatobia or commute home on weekends since this is a tight-knit rural community of about 8,000 residents. The student body reflects Mississippi's diversity, with 51% white students and 38% Black students. Study groups form naturally in the smaller class settings created by the 21:1 student-faculty ratio.

Setting: Town-Distant
Housing Capacity: 1,237 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1928

Campus Safety (2023)

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

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

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 29°–50°F
July Avg: 70°–90°F
Annual Precipitation: 55.9"
Annual Snowfall: 0.6"

Student Demographics

Northwest Mississippi Community College draws students primarily from its home state, with nearly 98% coming from Mississippi. The student body reflects the college's mission to serve local communities, with about one-third qualifying for Pell Grants. Women make up roughly two-thirds of enrollment, a split that aligns with the college's strong programs in nursing, education, and healthcare fields. The Rangers serve a diverse population where half the students are white and nearly 40% are Black. This demographic mix mirrors the rural Mississippi communities the college has served since 1928.

Men: 37.6%
Women: 62.4%
White: 50.6%
Black: 38.5%
Hispanic: 6.5%
Asian: 1.1%
In-State Students: 97.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 32.6%

Location

Northwest Mississippi Community College sits in Senatobia, a small town about 35 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The campus serves the rural hill country of northwest Mississippi, where agriculture and small-town life define the region. Nearly 98% of the 5,181 students come from in-state, reflecting the college's deep roots in the local community. Senatobia itself has fewer than 9,000 residents and maintains a quiet, close-knit atmosphere typical of small Mississippi towns. The area offers outdoor recreation opportunities with nearby lakes and forests, though students seeking big-city amenities typically head north to Memphis. Students considering colleges in Mississippi may also compare Northwest Mississippi Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Senatobia, Mississippi 38668-1714

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,396
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,990
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 41.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $69/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Northwest Mississippi Community College?

Northwest Mississippi Community College has open enrollment as a community college, welcoming students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The school serves 5,181 students primarily from Mississippi, with 97.78% of students coming from in-state. Founded in 1928, the college focuses on providing accessible higher education to the northwest Mississippi region.

How much does Northwest Mississippi Community College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Northwest Mississippi Community College is $7,665 annually. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $6,140 on average, while in-state tuition starts at $3,660. About 32.56% of students receive Pell Grants, making this one of the most affordable college options in Mississippi.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Northwest Mississippi Community College?

Northwest Mississippi Community College maintains a 21:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The college operates on a semester system and focuses heavily on career training alongside traditional transfer programs. Students can choose from programs designed to prepare them for immediate employment or to transfer to four-year universities.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Northwest Mississippi Community College?

Graduates achieve a 93.7% employment rate, demonstrating strong job market success. The median earnings reach $36,396 ten years after enrollment, while graduates typically carry only $6,500 in debt. The college's focus on practical career training helps explain these solid employment outcomes for students entering the workforce.

Does Northwest Mississippi Community College offer on-campus housing?

Northwest Mississippi Community College provides on-campus housing for up to 1,237 students at $4,450 per year for room and board. The campus serves a diverse student body that is 50.57% white and 38.47% Black, with women comprising 62.38% of enrollment. The Rangers compete in 14 varsity sports through the NCCAA with 262 total athletes.

What makes Northwest Mississippi Community College unique among Mississippi colleges?

Northwest Mississippi Community College awards $575,000 in athletic scholarships annually, unusually generous for a community college. The school's 42.30% six-year graduation rate reflects its mission of serving working students and those needing flexible scheduling. Students benefit from low monthly loan payments averaging just $69, making it an extremely affordable path to career advancement.