Online colleges in Mississippi are a smart choice for busy adults trying to balance career and family life. Mississippi also offers some of the most affordable educational options on the national landscape. At roughly $6,147, the average in-state tuition for the 2012-2013 academic season was substantially less than the national average of $8,070.
There are many excellent choices if you are looking for an online education in Mississippi. Seven universities rank among the very best in the state for their online degree programs. The choices are diverse, featuring small schools of around 2,000 students, to very large universities of over 23,000. Some of the schools even allow online students to tailor the degree to fit their own personal and career goals. How’s that for flexibility?
If an online college is exactly what you are looking for, we have the information you need to get started.
Four reasons to find an online college in your state:
- Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
- Be a part of a university or college you know and love
- Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
- Be close enough to easily visit when desired
Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Mississippi:
We selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Mississippi, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Mississippi may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Mississippi.
The Best Online Colleges in Mississippi
1Mississippi State University, Center for Distance Education
(Mississippi State, MS)
Mississippi State University, a land-, sea- and space-grant university founded in 1878, enrolls more than 20,000 students. The Carnegie Foundation recognizes Mississippi State University as a research university with very high research activity. Mississippi State University offers more than 175 programs leading to a host of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, including dozens of fully online programs.
Through the Center for Distance Education, Mississippi State University students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in elementary education, interdisciplinary studies, geosciences and technology teacher education. The university also offers several concentrations, allowing students to tailor the degree to their person and professional goals.
The university also offers nearly 20 master’s degree options such as engineering, forestry, business administration, information systems and more. Online students also can complete six doctoral programs in community college leadership and several engineering topics as well as a handful of certificate programs. Mississippi State University’s online courses follow the same schedule as its on-campus courses but allow students to complete coursework on their schedule.
Online students have access to a host of resources such as online orientation, tech support, financial aid, online tutoring and a bookstore. Online students earn the same degree and can attend the same graduation ceremony as traditional on-campus students.
Mississippi State University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
Mississippi State University’s programs also hold accreditation from the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and more.
2University of Southern Mississippi, Online at Southern Miss
(Hattiesburg, MS)
The University of Southern Mississippi, a public research university founded in 1910, enrolls more than 14,800 students and offers more than 180 programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Through Online at Southern Miss, the university offers dozens of fully online degree and certificate programs as well as hybrid programs. Students can pursue 10 undergraduate degrees such as construction engineering technology, liberal studies, special education, and library and information science. Online at Southern Miss also offers more than 20 master’s degree programs including logistics, trade and transportation, medical laboratory science, child and family studies, nursing, and more.
Online at Southern Miss students have access to library resources, a writing center and 24/7 tech support.
University of Southern Mississippi, Online at Southern Miss is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
3Mississippi College
(Clinton, MS)
Founded in 1826, Mississippi College, a private, co-educational liberal arts college, is the second-oldest Baptist College in the nation. Mississippi College enrolls more than 5,000 students and offers more than 95 undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a host of online options.
Mississippi College offers completely online degree programs, as well as online and hybrid course options through MC Moodle. Online degree programs include undergraduate degrees in subjects such as business administration, communication, nursing, paralegal studies, and homeland security. The college also provides online undergraduate certificates. Mississippi College also provides several master’s degrees such as those in communication, health informatics and higher education administration. Students also can pursue a handful of online graduate/post-baccalaureate certificates.
Online students have access to the same services and options as students who attend the brick-and-mortar institution. Online students also have the opportunity to join the commencement ceremony after they complete their degree.
Mississippi College is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
4Belhaven University
(Jackson, MS)
Belhaven University, a private, liberal arts, Christian university founded in 1883, enrolls about 4,200 students. The university offers nearly 40 bachelor, master and pre-professional programs, including dozens of online programs.
Online students can pursue associate’s degrees in biblical studies, arts and business as well as bachelor’s degrees in applied psychology, health administration, management, nursing and more. Belhaven University also offers more than a dozen master’s degrees ranging from business administration to education to public administration. Students can choose from several concentrations, allowing them to tailor the degree to their personal and career goals. The university also provides several online certificate programs. Belhaven University’s online programs feature weekly assignments and are 100 percent online with no on-campus visits. Students can earn an undergraduate degree in less than four years and a master’s degree in about two years.
Online students have access to an online bookstore and financial aid.
Belhaven University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
5Ole Miss Online, the University of Mississippi
(Oxford, MS)
The University of Mississippi, a public, co-educational, sea-grant, space-grant, research university founded in 1848, enrolls more than 23,000 students.
The university offers a host of online bachelor completion, master, doctoral and specialist degree programs through Ole Miss Online. Ole Miss Online offers its courses with no set class times, although some instructors require synchronous chat. Ole Miss Online offers several bachelor completion programs — called “2+U” — in dental hygiene, clinical laboratory sciences, health informatics and information management, health sciences and radiologic sciences. Online students can also pursue more than a dozen master’s degrees in elementary education, health sciences, nurse educator, health informatics and information management, and more. Doctoral degree offerings include health administration, while specialist degrees include counselor education. Certifications available include TESL and geospatial information science.
Online students have access to resources including tech support, library resources and a counseling center.
Ole Miss Online is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
6Mississippi University for Women
(Columbus, MS)
Mississippi University for Women, a four-year, public, co-educational university founded in 1884, enrolls about 2,400 students. The university offers more than 50 areas of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degrees with a number of online and hybrid degree programs.
Among the university’s online programs are a dozen 2+2 bachelor degree programs in health care management, nursing, legal administration and more. Students also can choose from six minors. Online students can also pursue master’s degrees in global commerce and health education. In addition, the university also offers eight online certificate programs.
Mississippi University for Women is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).
7Delta State University
(Cleveland, MS)
Delta State University, a public, co-educational university founded in 1924, enrolls more than 3,300 students. The university offers a variety of degree programs, including online programs in business, education, arts and sciences, and nursing.
Delta State University’s online offerings include several educational specialist programs as well as master’s degrees in elementary education, community development, commercial aviation, and social justice and criminology. Online students also can earn a doctor of nursing practice degree. Some programs may require on-campus visits.
Delta State University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).