2026 Best Value Education Schools in Mississippi
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2026 Best Value Education Schools in Mississippi
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is Itawamba Community College, our #1 best value for education in Mississippi. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Education graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $40,832. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $34,012. That is a strong return on a $9,422 median debt.
Holmes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $6,200 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $18,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Copiah Lincoln Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Northwest Mississippi Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,803 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $18,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Education graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Education graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Students borrow a median of $20,937 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $40,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Mississippi Valley State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Itta Bena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,692. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,919. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mississippi University For Women came in at #9 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,492. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $36,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Delta State University came in at #10 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,141. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $35,664. That is a strong return on a $22,141 median debt. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Education graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $38,766. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Alcorn State University earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Typical student debt for education graduates is $29,674. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $35,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,411. Education graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $42,631 early in their careers. Set against $17,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
William Carey University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $24,954 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $52,230. Set against $24,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Blue Mountain College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,180. Typical student debt for education graduates is $22,500. Early-career education graduates make about $37,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Jackson State University came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,965, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Students borrow a median of $29,137 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $39,020. That is a strong return on a $29,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mississippi College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,500. Education graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $47,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Belhaven University earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,250. Typical student debt for education graduates is $34,181. Early-career education graduates make about $46,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
