Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Mississippi
Tucked in the heart of the South, Mississippi is home to many excellent and nationally renowned nursing schools, as well as plenty of excellent hospitals and healthcare facilities, too. Nurse.org put together a list of the top nursing schools in Mississippi to help you choose the right program for you.
Top 10 Nursing Schools in Mississippi
This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors, including,
- Reputation
- NCLEX-RN pass rate
- Tuition
- Acceptance rate, when available
- Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible
Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.
- Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
- Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
- Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC
- Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN
Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Mississippi nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.
1. Delta State University
Annual Tuition: $8,435 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.43%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
It's tough to beat the affordability of Delta State University. The Cleveland-based school of just over 3,000 students offers the same tuition rate to all students meaning there's no out-of-state tuition — a rarity for a public school.
Delta State's low cost has no impact on the quality of the nursing program, seeing how well BSN graduates perform on the NCLEX. The BSN takes five semesters to complete full-time, though a part-time option is also available.
Additionally, Delta State is home to an online RN-BSN, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. The online master's is one of the easiest MSN online programs to get into in the nation.
2. Mississippi College
Annual Tuition: $19,656 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.67%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Mississippi College is one of the oldest colleges in the state. With a student body of just under 5,000 students, this Christian school is the epitome of a small school, private education. Nursing students of nearly every background have options at Mississippi College, including a traditional BSN, accelerated second-degree BSN, online MSN, and online RN-BSN. If you're a current RN planning on completing the RN-BSN program, your tuition will be charged at a special credit hour rate. Depending on how many courses you need to complete a BSN, this could prove to be more affordable than other options.
3. Mississippi University for Women
Annual Tuition: $7,766 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Created as the first public women's college in the nation, Mississippi University for Women now allows men to apply, too. The majority of classes at MUW have fewer than 20 students, potentially a reason why nursing students have enjoyed so much success. Mississippi University for Women has seen every graduate of the BSN pass the NCLEX over the past four years. In terms of consistency, this could be the best undergraduate nursing program in Mississippi. Also worth mentioning: the RN-BSN charges a flat rate of $10,000 for the entire program, so you can budget for the entire degree upfront.
4. The University of Southern Mississippi
Annual Tuition: $9,340 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.35%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
The University of Southern Mississippi is a large public research school spread over two campuses in Hattiesburg and Gulf Park. If you're a student planning on a BSN, you can complete your education at either of the campuses. The BSN allows early admission, so qualified high school students can gain admission to the nursing school prior to starting their freshman year. An online RN-BSN bridge program is also offered for current RNs who have an associate degree in nursing. Graduate nursing students can choose from multiple master's and doctorate programs, including nurse anesthesia, family nurse practitioner, and nursing leadership.
5. William Carey University
Annual Tuition: $10,800 (based on per-credit tuition rate) | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Once known as Mississippi Woman's College, William Carey University adopted its current name to reflect the many changes the school has seen over the past century. The two main campuses are located in Hattiesburg and Biloxi, though nursing students can choose to study at a third campus in Baton Rouge, LA. Nursing school applicants are required to apply to only one of the three campuses, and after being admitted students may only complete courses at that campus. Keep in mind that William Carey University charges a higher per-credit tuition rate for nursing courses, and that can impact your total tuition.
6. University of Mississippi Medical Center
Annual In-State Tuition: $5,792 (based on per-credit tuition rate) | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $25,596 (based on per-credit tuition rate) | NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.85%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Located in Jackson, the University of Mississippi Medical Center is a local leader in teaching health sciences and has one of the most robust nursing programs in the state offering over a dozen nursing options available to students. Undergraduate students can choose from a traditional BSN, early-entry BSN, accelerated BSN, or an online RN-BSN bridge program. Additional graduate-level degrees are available, though students should complete a BSN before applying to UMMC graduate programs. Tuition rates vary depending on which degree is being pursued and the student's level of education, so a per-credit tuition rate is used to demonstrate potential costs.
7. Alcorn State University
Annual Tuition: $ 7,869 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.30%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Another affordable state school that offers the same tuition rate to all students, Alcorn State University has three campuses across Mississippi. Nursing students will attend courses at the Natchez Campus.
Alcorn State has one of the best HBCU nursing programs nationwide and offers three undergraduate options: an associate in nursing, a two-semester RN-BSN, and a four-semester BSN. Before starting either BSN option, students must complete prerequisites (all of which can be completed through Alcorn). With a low tuition rate and excellent student outcomes, Alcorn is worth considering.
8. Belhaven University
Annual Tuition: $27,980 NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.30%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Founded in 1883, Belhaven University is a nationally-renowned Christian college. Belhaven states that "all programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective," so students interested in secular nursing education should look elsewhere. If Belhaven fits your wants and needs, then you'll have two nursing options: a traditional BSN and a three-semester online RN-BSN. With an impressive 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Belhaven University offers endless possibilities to nursing students plus over 92% of students receive financial aid.
9. Coahoma Community College
Annual Tuition: $3,200 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 95%
Traditional: No
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
As a community college, Coahoma Community College focuses on offering two-year degrees. Students interested in nursing would enroll in the two-semester associate degree nursing program, designed for current licensed practical nurses (LPNs). To save some money, students may want to complete an associate degree, become an RN, then complete an RN-BSN program.
10. Holmes Community College
Annual In-State Tuition: $2,700
NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.22%
Traditional: No
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
Based in Goodman, Holmes Community College offers one of the least expensive tracks to becoming an RN. Much like Coahoma Community College, Holmes CC doesn't offer a four-year nursing degree; however, a two-year associate degree is available. Graduates of this program have excelled on the NCLEX in the past, and this program is a good way to become an RN and prepare yourself for an RN-BSN. Holmes CC even offers an evening and weekend ADN program which may be ideal for working students.
Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
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Mississippi nurses earn an annual mean wage of $63,130, lower than the national average.
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Mississippi employs 29,140 nurses, a high number relative to the state population.
Compared to the high salaries that nurses earn in other states, Mississippi looks like a low-paying state for nurses. However, there are two things future nurses should consider:
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Mississippi has a relatively low cost of living.
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The BLS reports salary data for all RNs and doesn't differentiate pay based on education or specialty.
Not only could BSN holders earn more than the state average, but money earned goes further than in most other states.
Mississippi is one of the top employers of nurses relative to its population. According to the BLS, Mississippi employs 26.45 nurses for every 1,000 workers, the third-highest number in the nation. This could mean that finding a job in Mississippi may be easier than in many other states.
Next Steps
After looking at a mix of public and private schools, create a list of schools that you're interested in applying to. While you may have a clear favorite, applying to multiple schools increases your chances of finding financial aid, getting accepted into the college, and getting accepted into the nursing program.
Before you start submitting applications, here's what to do next:
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Contact each school’s admissions offices. Schools have admissions offices, and one role of the admissions office is to assist students who are applying. The admissions office can answer any questions you have about that school's admission process.
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Check to see if you meet the nursing school requirements. Nursing schools typically have their own requirements for entry. You may need to take extra courses, have a higher GPA, or even have extracurriculars to get accepted. Personal essays and letters of recommendation aren't uncommon, either.
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Submit your application(s). Once you've figured out everything you need for an application, the final step is to gather your materials and turn the application in! Make sure to pay attention to application deadlines. To play it safe, have all of your materials prepared well before the final deadline.
In your application, be prepared to submit:
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High school transcript (GPA)
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ACT and/or SAT scores
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College entrance essay(s)
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Letter(s) of recommendation
Important Considerations When Comparing Schools
After submitting your applications, you'll begin receiving college acceptance letters in the mail. Hooray! Now the only thing left to do is pick the school where you'll earn your degree. There are plenty of factors to consider when comparing schools, including:
- Tuition cost and cost of the nursing program
- Type of school (public or private)
- Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
- Cost of living on-campus or in the area
- Distance from home
- Program length of time
- School and nursing program acceptance rate
- Program outcomes (NCLEX pass rate and job placement)
- School accreditation (regional and national)
Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation
National, regional, and programmatic accreditation are used to verify the quality of schools and programs. Make sure every school you apply to in Mississippi is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, make sure the nursing program has received programmatic accreditation.
The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are
If you earn a degree from an unaccredited school, you may have trouble securing federal financial aid and finding work as a nurse after graduation. Furthermore, if you plan on attending a graduate or doctoral program, a prerequisite is a BSN from an accredited nursing program.
Getting a License in Mississippi
Mississippi is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), meaning the process for nursing licensure meets a national standard. As a result, a license in Mississippi allows you to work as a nurse in every other eNLC member state.
To become licensed in Mississippi, you must:
- Earn a degree from a Mississippi-approved nursing program (CCNE and ACEN programs meet this criterion)
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
- Submit electronic fingerprints and pass a criminal background check
- Pay an application fee and mail your application to the Mississippi Board of Nursing
Conclusion
Mississippi is home to some of the most affordable colleges and universities in the nation. Despite the low relative cost, many of these schools have excellent nursing programs with incredible outcomes for graduates. Once you've earned a nursing degree, the process for becoming licensed in Mississippi is straightforward. Thanks to the eNLC, your Mississippi nursing license will be accepted in most other states.
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