At $13,164/yr net price, University of Mississippi graduates earn $50,994/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,994/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,164 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $52,656 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,994/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,994/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,030/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,213/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,525/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,319/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,769/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $117,309 | $100,500 |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $112,488 | $175,333 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $88,614 | $40,999 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $71,015 | $93,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $67,324 | $61,500 |
| Engineering Science. | Master | $64,990 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,417 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $58,447 | $20,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $57,318 | |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $56,415 | $12,500 |
The Risk Factor
68.5% of students at University of Mississippi graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Mississippi gives you a solid financial return for the price. You pay a net price near $13,000 a year and land median earnings around $51,000 a decade out, while carrying only $20,000 in median debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy, and the 88% retention rate means most people who start actually stick around to finish, with a 68.5% graduation rate backing that up.
Your major decides most of the outcome here. Mechanical engineering pays the best at nearly $59,500, though it comes with $21,500 in debt. Nursing and the health professions programs are the smarter bet on the debt side, landing you around $56,000 while keeping borrowing low, nursing at roughly $14,600 and health professions at $12,500. Civil engineering is the outlier to watch: it earns the least of the top five at just under $50,000 but saddles you with the heaviest debt at $25,500. Insurance sits in the middle at about $51,500 with the same $21,500 load as mechanical engineering, so you earn less for the same borrowing.
The income tiers reward lower-income families the most. Under $30,000, you pay about $8,000 a year. between $48,000 and $75,000, that jumps to over $15,000, and above $110,000 it hits nearly $20,800. The middle-income jump is steep, so if your family earns $48,000 to $75,000, your price nearly doubles compared to the lowest bracket.
This school fits you if you're aiming for engineering, nursing, or health professions and want in-state-level pricing with manageable debt. If you're chasing a lower-paying major, the numbers still work because the net price stays low, but the payoff shrinks. Watch the debt on civil engineering specifically before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Mississippi worth the cost for most students?
University of Mississippi offers reasonable value with a low net price of $13,164 annually and median debt of just $20,000. However, the 10-year median earnings of $51,000 are below national averages, making ROI heavily dependent on your chosen major.
Which University of Mississippi programs have the best return on investment?
Pharmacy and dental programs at University of Mississippi deliver strong ROI with graduates earning over $110,000 annually. Nursing also pays well at $88,600, while general liberal arts programs typically result in lower earnings that may not justify even the modest costs.
How much student debt do University of Mississippi graduates typically have?
University of Mississippi graduates leave with a median debt of $20,000, which is relatively low compared to national averages. The low debt burden helps offset the school's below-average graduate earnings in many fields.
Does University of Mississippi provide good financial aid to students?
University of Mississippi keeps costs manageable with a net price of $13,164 per year after aid. The combination of low tuition and decent financial aid makes it accessible, though the 68% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their degrees.