Mississippi College
Clinton, Mississippi · Private Nonprofit · 29.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 33/100 · Poor Value
Mississippi College, a Baptist private nonprofit in Clinton, scores 33 out of 100, landing in the Poor Value tier. Tuition is $23,500 with net price actually higher at $27,712 (the difference reflects room and board), a four-year sticker of $110,848. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $47,485, climbing from $34,500 at year six. The 20.1-year payback period is steep, and the 0.652 debt-to-earnings ratio sits below the 0.8 trouble threshold but well above the comfort zone. Median federal debt is $22,500 - relatively modest. The 59.3% completion rate is decent, and the 70.6% three-year repayment rate is solid. The Registered Nursing program (96 graduates, B grade, $69,572 first-year earnings) is the largest and best program, and accounting earns a B+ grade. The portfolio struggles where most religious liberal arts colleges struggle: biology (61 graduates, F grade, 1.442 debt-to-earnings ratio) and psychology (30 graduates, F grade) post weak outcomes. Mississippi College is a defensible choice for nursing, accounting, and business-bound students with a faith-integrated learning preference; the broader liberal arts portfolio underperforms.
The data raises concerns about Mississippi College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score33/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period20.1 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Mississippi College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $23,500/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $23,500/yr |
| Average net price | $27,712/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $110,848 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,485 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $239 |
| Estimated payback period | 20.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 59.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,518 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Mississippi College is $23,500/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $27,712/year, or roughly $110,848 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $25,984/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,757/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $239 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $47,485 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.65 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $25,984 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,743 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $27,601 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,083 |
| $110,001+ | $29,757 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-$30,000 pay $25,984 net price - high for the lowest income bracket, indicating limited deep aid stacking. Pell helps but does not bring this under $25,000. With $47,485 in 10-year earnings and $22,500 in median debt, low-income students who finish in nursing or accounting come out ahead, but the cost burden is real.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $25,743 - actually slightly less than the $0-$30,000 bracket, a minor inversion suggesting merit-aid stacking benefits this tier. The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $27,601 and $75,001-$110,000 pays $29,083. Reasonable income-progressive pricing with the small inversion at the lowest brackets.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $29,757. Full-pay families spend roughly $119,000 over four years. At those numbers, only nursing and accounting genuinely justify the cost against Mississippi state alternatives. The faith-integration value adds non-financial weight for committed Baptist families.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Mississippi College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $77,374 | B |
| Biology | $49,370 | F |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $48,861 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $52,789 | C |
| Psychology | $39,933 | F |
| Teacher Education | $42,673 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,779 | C |
| Design and Applied Arts | $39,178 | - |
| Accounting | $63,885 | B+ |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $44,329 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
By far the dominant program with 96 graduates, this BSN earns a B grade. First-year earnings of $69,572 climb to $77,374 by year four against $27,000 median debt and a 0.388 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong outcomes driven by Mississippi healthcare demand. MC's nursing pipeline feeds Baptist Memorial, UMMC, and broader Mississippi hospital systems. Solid choice for nursing-bound Mississippi students.
Biology
Sixty-one graduates - the second-largest cohort - earn an F grade. First-year earnings of just $17,342 against $25,000 median debt produce a 1.442 debt-to-earnings ratio. Four-year earnings climb sharply to $49,370, indicating real graduate-school progression for those who advance. Many MC biology students target medical, dental, pharmacy, or PA school - the four-year progression suggests the pipeline works for some. Without a clear graduate plan, the entry math is the toughest in the program mix.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Thirty-seven graduates earn a D grade. First-year earnings of $30,193 climb to $48,861 by year four against $24,625 median debt and a 0.816 ratio. Pre-PT/OT/athletic training pipeline; the four-year progression suggests some advance to graduate professional programs. Students should plan the graduate pathway.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Thirty-two graduates earn a C grade. First-year earnings of $43,299 climb to $52,789 by year four against $27,000 median debt and a 0.624 ratio. Solid mid-tier outcomes for a Mississippi private. Graduates likely place into Jackson-area corporate, banking, and healthcare administration roles. Workable ROI for students who finish.
Psychology
Thirty graduates earn an F grade. First-year earnings of $23,683 against $26,000 median debt produce a 1.098 ratio. Four-year earnings only reach $39,933 - flat progression, suggesting most graduates do not advance to graduate psychology programs. This is the canonical liberal arts ROI trap at a $25,000+ net price. Without a clear graduate plan, students should reconsider.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 61.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 64.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 29.1% |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 2,518 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 29.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,995 |
Mississippi College admits 29.1% of applicants - notably selective, more so than peer Baptist regionals. ACT mid-range is 19-25; SAT not reported. The selective admit rate combined with a 59.3% completion rate suggests the school screens carefully but a meaningful minority of admits do not persist. Prepared Mississippi students with ACT 23+ should expect favorable consideration. The denominational identity and small-college culture drive applications from Southern Baptist families regionally.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Mississippi College's peer set is religious-affiliated and small private. Belhaven University is a direct in-state Mississippi Christian liberal arts comparison with similar profile. Blue Mountain Christian University is a smaller regional Mississippi peer. The two New York yeshivas (United Talmudical Seminary, UTA Mesivta of Kiryas Joel) are religious institutions but vastly different culturally and curricularly. Indiana Tech rounds out the niche-private set. Among true Mississippi peers, MC posts stronger nursing outcomes than Belhaven and tracks the broader Christian-college regional landscape.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi College (this school) | 33 | $27,712 | $47,485 |
| Colorado Christian University | 34 | $29,500 | $50,416 |
| William Carey University | 34 | $14,258 | $43,087 |
| Lancaster Bible College | 34 | $25,480 | $44,096 |
| North Central University | 33 | $25,817 | $45,064 |
| Ozark Christian College | 32 | $20,580 | $41,297 |
Who Thrives Here
Mississippi College enrolls 2,518 students with a 29.6% Pell rate, drawing primarily from Mississippi Baptist families. The fit is clearest for students pursuing nursing (96 graduates, the standout program), accounting, business, or pre-law (MC Law School is the only Mississippi law school west of Mississippi State and feeds directly from undergrad). Students seeking a faith-integrated education in healthcare or business career tracks find the strongest value. Students primarily seeking maximum earnings ROI should look at Ole Miss or Mississippi State at materially lower in-state cost.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Mississippi College. With a net cost of $27,712 per year and median graduate earnings of only $47,485 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 20.1 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $22,500 against $47,485 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.