Jackson, Mississippi Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

Executive Summary (TL;DR)

Colleges in Jackson, Mississippi: median public in-state tuition $22,160 (+288.8% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $47,058 (-20.8% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 90.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $25,000 (+85.2% vs U.S.) 7,671 students enrolled statewide.

Overview

Colleges and universities in Jackson serve students across Mississippi with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 7 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 7,671 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $22,160. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Jackson, Mississippi and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Related profiles

Jackson vs Mississippi & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Jackson, Mississippi$22,160$21,903$25,00058.1%7,671
Mississippi (state median)$4,600$6,765$10,50049.0%124,254
United States$5,700$9,912$13,50049.3%14,465,291

Earnings & employment outcomes: Jackson, Mississippi vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Jackson, Mississippi$47,05890.7%62.4%7.8%—54.1%0.57
Mississippi (state median)$45,46292.2%72.1%8.6%—64.9%0.45
United States$59,40193.0%76.4%5.0%—73.8%0.36

Other cities in Mississippi (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Jackson, Mississippi$22,160$21,903$25,00058.1%7,671$47,05890.7%
Hattiesburg$10,394$18,489$15,09455.7%12,342$46,82092.0%
Clinton$24,600$13,137$19,50063.6%2,595$54,12293.1%
GulfportN/A$23,255$11,190N/A273N/AN/A
Laurel$7,425$17,381N/A18.8%150N/AN/A
Laurel$7,425$17,381N/A18.8%150N/AN/A
United States$5,700$9,912$13,50049.3%14,465,291$59,40193.0%

Top 3 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 60.7%, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 58.1%, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 43.0%, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

Top 4 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 94.9%, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.2%, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 90.2%, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 87.8%, Strayer University-Mississippi

    Strayer University-Mississippi

    Private for-profit · 882 enrolled · Jackson

Top 3 most selective colleges in Jackson, Mississippi (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 43.1%, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 49.8%, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 93.2%, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

Top 4 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $83,780, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $77,117, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $71,874, Strayer University-Mississippi

    Strayer University-Mississippi

    Private for-profit · 882 enrolled · Jackson

  4. Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $45,908, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

Top 4 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $90,577, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $87,413, Strayer University-Mississippi

    Strayer University-Mississippi

    Private for-profit · 882 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $79,098, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  4. Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $76,477, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

Top 4 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,461, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $42,383, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,362, Strayer University-Mississippi

    Strayer University-Mississippi

    Private for-profit · 882 enrolled · Jackson

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $36,121, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

Top 4 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,436, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,246, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,147, Strayer University-Mississippi

    Strayer University-Mississippi

    Private for-profit · 882 enrolled · Jackson

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $39,246, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

Top 4 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $65,503, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $50,101, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $44,016, Strayer University-Mississippi

    Strayer University-Mississippi

    Private for-profit · 882 enrolled · Jackson

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $42,075, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

Top 3 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $149,678, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $138,828, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $25,191, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

Top 3 most affordable colleges in Jackson, Mississippi (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $18,078, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $25,728, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $34,119, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

Top 3 colleges in Jackson, Mississippi by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 67.8%, Belhaven University

    Belhaven University

    Private nonprofit · 1,471 enrolled · Jackson

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 62.4%, Jackson State University

    Jackson State University

    Public · 4,600 enrolled · Jackson

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 58.0%, Millsaps College

    Millsaps College

    Private nonprofit · 549 enrolled · Jackson

In-state tuition: Jackson, Mississippi vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Jackson, Mississippi median in-state tuition is $22,160, +288.8% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Jackson, Mississippi vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Jackson, Mississippi is $25,000 (+85.2% vs U.S. median $13,500). Regional median: $15,558.

Median earnings (10 years out): Jackson, Mississippi vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Jackson, Mississippi center around $47,058 (-20.8% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Jackson, Mississippi vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 90.7% at the median Jackson, Mississippi campus (-2.3 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Jackson, Mississippi median public in-state tuition is $22,160, about +288.8% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +329.8%.

Median graduate debt is $25,000 (+85.2% above the U.S. median of $13,500). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Jackson, Mississippi are $47,058, about -20.8% vs the U.S. campus median ($59,401).

The median campus reports 90.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 93.0% (-2.3 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 62.4% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 7.8% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 54.1% (U.S. 73.8%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Millsaps College (94.9%), Jackson State University (91.2%), Belhaven University (90.2%), Strayer University-Mississippi (87.8%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Jackson, Mississippi is 58.1% (national institution average about 49.3%).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colleges are in Jackson?

This city profile covers 7 campuses in Jackson, Mississippi with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Jackson?

Median in-state tuition in Jackson is $22,160 and median net price is $21,903. For Mississippi overall, medians are $4,600 and $6,765; U.S. medians are $5,700 and $9,912.

What do graduates earn in Jackson?

Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Jackson is $47,058 vs $45,462 for Mississippi and $59,401 nationally.

What is student debt like for Jackson colleges?

Median completer debt in Jackson is $25,000 vs $10,500 for Mississippi and $13,500 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Jackson?

Top campuses on this page include Belhaven University (graduation) and Millsaps College (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Jackson?

Among 7 campuses in Jackson, Mississippi, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Jackson State University; 2 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Presbyterian Church (USA) (1), United Methodist (1).

Sources & related