The Best Online Colleges in Mississippi

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.

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.

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 University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi, ranks as one of the best public universities in the Southeast, according to U.S. News & World Report and the Washington Monthly. MUW offers 13 2+2 bachelor's degree completion programs online. The 2+2 programs let students with two years of community college credit or an associate degree earn a bachelor's after two more years of online study.

Bachelor's degrees available online from MUW include:

• Healthcare Management (BBA)
• Public Health Education (BA)
• RN to BSN

MUW also offers four graduate programs online, and learners can add minors like management, legal studies, and general business. MUW offers its distance education courses through the Canvas learning management system. Students can access tech help 24/7, use the college's library resources, and get help from the Office of Career Services. Other student support includes access to counseling services, financial aid opportunities, and academic advising.

MUW's commitment to low tuition makes it one of the most affordable online colleges in Mississippi. Residents from every state pay the same tuition rates. The university also offers many scholarships and grants to further offset tuition cost. MUW also sets aside scholarships specifically for transfer students.

Admissions requirements for transfer students include a minimum 2.0 GPA in all coursework from a regionally accredited college. Prospective learners must submit official college and high school transcripts. Any applicant that holds an associate degree from a regionally accredited college and a minimum 2.0 GPA is eligible for admission.

U.S. News & World Report ranks BMC in northeastern Mississippi as the number one best value school and one of the top regional colleges in the South. Founded as a women's college in 1873, BMC went completely coeducational in 2005. The Mississippi Baptist Convention supports the private, liberal arts college. All academic programs at the college incorporate a biblical worldview.

Distance learners can choose from the following programs:

• Psychology
• Business Administration

BMC designs its distance education programs for working professionals who want to earn a degree informed by the Christian faith. The school offers two online bachelor's programs in psychology and business administration. All online classes last eight weeks, and students can choose from six start dates each year. BMC allows learners to take 2-3 three-credit online courses each eight-week term.

Distance learners may qualify for the same types of financial aid as on-campus students, including student loans, grants, and scholarships. BMC encourages students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible to improve their chances of receiving aid.

The college uses the Canvas learning management system to deliver distance education courses. Online learners receive academic advising, IT assistance, and access to resources from the library and teaching and learning center. The Career Services office helps students plan career objectives and create partnerships with potential employers and alumni. New students can take an online training session to prepare themselves for distance classes.

Prospective students looking for cheap online colleges in Mississippi should consider the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. Southern Miss attracts a diverse student body, with learners from 50 different countries around the world.

Distance learners can choose from 15 online bachelor's degrees in fields like:

• Library and Information Science
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Child and Family Sciences

The university also offers seven completely online undergraduate and graduate certificate programs and 26 graduate degrees in subjects like:

• Educational Administration and Supervision
• Human Capital Development (Instructional Technology)
• Nutrition Food Systems (Dietetics Practice)

One of the most affordable online colleges in Mississippi, Southern Miss offers the same cheap tuition rate to residents and nonresidents in fully online programs. Students pay less for an undergraduate online degree here than the national average.

The university also encourages students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant program for financial aid opportunities. Southern Miss welcomes transfer applicants to its online programs and even offers scholarships specifically for transfer students.

Distance learners take online courses using Canvas. Some online classes require students to take proctored exams at a Southern Miss campus or another approved education testing facility in their local communities. Learners who cannot find a testing facility nearby can take a proctored test online using the SmartProctoring service.

Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Mississippi, offers 15 academic and career/technical associate degrees completely online. Distance learners can complete these programs in the following majors:

• Business and Computer Teacher Education
• Criminal Justice
• Office Administration
• Business Management Technology
• Paralegal Technology
• Medical Office Technology

Northwest delivers online classes through the Canvas learning management system. Distance courses include a virtual classroom where students turn in homework, engage in discussion through message boards and chat, and watch lectures.

One of the most affordable online colleges in Mississippi, distance learners pay the same tuition rate as on-campus learners. They may also qualify for the same types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and student loans.

Northwest's open admissions policy invites all students to apply to the school. Prospective students must submit a completed application, official high school transcripts or high school equivalency test scores, college or military transcripts (if applicable), and SAT or ACT scores. All Mississippi residents must submit ACT scores, but the college does not require a minimum score.

Online resources for Northwest students include databases, ebooks, full-text articles, and research assistance from the school's library. The library also maintains a list of helpful resources for online learners, including a writer's reference center. Northwest offers other support for distance learners, such as textbook information, academic advising, registration help, and IT assistance.

Distance learners looking for online community colleges in Mississippi should consider earning an associate degree at MGCCC. Based in Perkinston, Mississippi, the MGCCC eLearning department offers more than 350 courses and several degree, diploma, and certificate programs entirely online. The school's participation in the Mississippi Virtual Community College Consortium increases the number of available distance education courses to more than 3,000.

Online learners can complete 10 associate degrees and two certificates without ever visiting campus at MGCCC, including:

• American Studies
• Elementary Education (K-8)
• Business and Marketing Management Technology
• Business and Office Cluster - Accounting Technology Concentration

MGCCC uses the Canvas learning management system to deliver online content. Courses may include synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Students should consult with their instructor before class begins to find out expectations about course delivery. Students can get required textbooks for many online courses through the MGCCC book rental service.

All online courses at MGCCC require at least one proctored exam. Learners must complete proctored exams at a Mississippi Virtual Community College assessment center, a college approved off-campus location, or with a live virtual proctor. Before enrolling in any online courses, MGCCC encourages students to complete the student orientation to online learning and online readiness assessment. Individual courses may require prerequisites.