Mississippi has eight colleges producing sizeable numbers of BSN graduates, with a mix of public universities and private Christian colleges. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top five.
Imagine you want to study nursing in Mississippi and stay close to home. You might choose between a large public university, a Baptist university in Hattiesburg or a historically Black university in the Delta region. These numbers help you compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Mississippi that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Mississippi nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Mississippi | University | Public | 71% | 281 | $77,373 | $10,150 |
| 2 | Mississippi Christian University | Clinton | Private nonprofit | 61% | 90 | $75,984 | $24,600 |
| 3 | William Carey University | Hattiesburg | Private nonprofit | 58% | 114 | $74,607 | $15,900 |
| 4 | Belhaven University | Jackson | Private nonprofit | 54% | 21 | $83,780 | $30,400 |
| 5 | Alcorn State University | Alcorn State | Public | 53% | 65 | $82,877 | $8,785 |
| 6 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg | Public | 52% | 170 | $75,230 | $10,394 |
| 7 | Mississippi University for Women | Columbus | Public | 50% | 312 | $77,817 | $8,747 |
| 8 | Delta State University | Cleveland | Public | 49% | 59 | $79,484 | $8,605 |
Top Mississippi nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi tops our list by graduation rate; its BSN is delivered through the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Nursing in Jackson, the state’s academic medical centre.
- Graduation rate: 71%, number 1 in Mississippi on our list
- Programme size: about 281 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, one of the largest in the state
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $77,373 one year after graduating
- Cost: $10,150 in-state tuition ($30,310 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 97%
2. Mississippi Christian University
Mississippi Christian University in Clinton, near Jackson, is a private Baptist-affiliated university offering a BSN.
- Graduation rate: 61%, number 2 in Mississippi on our list
- Programme size: about 90 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $75,984 one year after graduating
- Cost: $24,600 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 29%
3. William Carey University
William Carey University in Hattiesburg is a Baptist university with one of the larger nursing programmes in the state.
- Graduation rate: 58%, number 3 in Mississippi on our list
- Programme size: about 114 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $74,607 one year after graduating
- Cost: $15,900 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 60%
4. Belhaven University
Belhaven University in Jackson is a private Christian university offering a smaller nursing programme.
- Graduation rate: 54%, number 4 in Mississippi on our list
- Programme size: about 21 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $83,780 one year after graduating
- Cost: $30,400 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 50%
5. Alcorn State University
Alcorn State University is the oldest public historically Black land-grant university in the US, with a nursing school based in Natchez.
- Graduation rate: 53%, number 5 in Mississippi on our list
- Programme size: about 65 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $82,877 one year after graduating
- Cost: $8,785 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 45%
The University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi University for Women also produce large numbers of Mississippi nurses.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Mississippi
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Mississippi Board of Nursing. Mississippi is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Mississippi offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 8 colleges in Mississippi produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 1,112 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Mississippi nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Mississippi has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 71%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Mississippi?
Mississippi University for Women produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 312 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Mississippi?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $74,607 to $83,780, with a typical (median) figure of about $77,595. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Mississippi?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $8,605 to $10,394 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Mississippi Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Mississippi Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Mississippi Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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