Laurel, Mississippi Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Laurel, Mississippi: median public in-state tuition $7,425 (+34.7% vs national median) median graduate debt $6,500 (-51.0% vs U.S.) 150 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 150 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $7,425 (+34.7% vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $16,946 (+70.0% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $6,500 (-51.0% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,456
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 80.0%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Laurel serve students across Mississippi with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 150 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $7,425. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Laurel, Mississippi and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Laurel vs Mississippi & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel, Mississippi | $7,425 | $16,946 | $6,500 | 80.0% | 150 |
| Mississippi (state median) | $4,200 | $6,747 | $9,722 | 48.0% | 124,254 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Laurel, 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.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel, Mississippi | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | N/A | N/A |
| Mississippi (state median) | $42,539 | 90.5% | 72.1% | 8.6% | — | 64.9% | 0.51 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Mississippi (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel, Mississippi | $7,425 | $16,946 | $6,500 | 80.0% | 150 | N/A | N/A |
| Hattiesburg | $9,998 | $18,321 | $15,291 | 54.4% | 12,342 | $43,614 | 90.0% |
| Jackson | $22,085 | $17,356 | $26,666 | 49.7% | 7,671 | $43,266 | 89.7% |
| Jackson | $22,085 | $17,356 | $26,666 | 49.7% | 7,671 | $43,266 | 89.7% |
| Jackson | $22,085 | $17,356 | $26,666 | 49.7% | 7,671 | $43,266 | 89.7% |
| Clinton | $23,500 | $18,164 | $22,500 | 59.3% | 2,595 | $47,485 | 93.2% |
| Gulfport | N/A | $15,055 | $9,500 | N/A | 273 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
In-state tuition: Laurel, Mississippi vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Laurel, Mississippi median in-state tuition is $7,425, +34.7% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Laurel, Mississippi vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Laurel, Mississippi is $6,500 (-51.0% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,456.
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
Laurel, Mississippi median public in-state tuition is $7,425, about +34.7% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +48.7%.
Median graduate debt is $6,500 (-51.0% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Laurel, Mississippi is 80.0% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Laurel?
This city profile covers 2 campuses in Laurel, Mississippi with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Laurel?
Median in-state tuition in Laurel is $7,425 and median net price is $16,946. For Mississippi overall, medians are $4,200 and $6,747; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Laurel?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Laurel is N/A vs $42,539 for Mississippi and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Laurel colleges?
Median completer debt in Laurel is $6,500 vs $9,722 for Mississippi and $13,271 nationally.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Laurel?
Among 2 campuses in Laurel, Mississippi, 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Baptist (1).
Sources & related
- Mississippi college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON