Today’s students are busier than ever. With the cost of a college education on the rise, many students are also part-time or full-time workers. When deciding which college program is right for them, a lot of students have to consider how it will factor into their schedule. Fortunately, online degree programs afford students the opportunity for a much more flexible education. Not only are students able to create schedules that work best for them, but they also can save money by taking courses online. Below are some of our top nonprofit online colleges in Mississippi. We have ordered these schools based upon the affordability of their tuition.
Ranking the Best Online Colleges in Mississippi
#1. Mississippi University for Women
Located in Columbia, Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women is a public university. Established in 1884, Mississippi University for Women was the first public women’s college in the entire United States. Initially opened as the Institute and College for the Education of White Girls, Mississippi University for Women was created by the Mississippi Legislature to not only provide women with an education but also teach them skills that they could apply in a professional setting. Taking over the campus that once belonged to the Columbus Female Institute, the Institute and College for the Education of White Girls began its first classes in 1885. In 1920, the school’s name was changed to the Mississippi State College for Women. This name change was chosen to better reflect the school’s move towards focusing primarily on college education rather than vocational training. In 1974, the school was renamed to the Mississippi University for Women. A decade later, the school began admitting qualified male students into its academic programs following a landmark Supreme Court case. Today, Mississippi University for Women enrolls nearly 2,800 students.
Featured Programs
Students at Mississippi University for Women can choose from a large catalog of academic programs offered at the school. At the time of this writing, students are able to enroll in over fifty different undergraduate programs and over a dozen graduate degree programs. Of these programs, almost twenty of them are offered to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, Mississippi University for Women has earned a place among our top online colleges in Mississippi. Mississippi University for Women is a public institution.
Accreditation: Mississippi University for Women is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $285/credit
Click here for a list of Mississippi University for Women‘s online programs.
#2. Delta State University
Established in 1924, Delta State University is a public university. Located in the town of Cleveland, Mississippi, Delta State University began in what was formerly the Bolivar County Agricultural High School. Calling for the creation of a teachers college, the Mississippi Legislature officially established Delta State University as Delta State Teachers College. At the time, Delta State Teachers College exclusively focused on providing students with the opportunity to enroll in bachelor’s degrees in education in order to prepare them to work in Mississippi’s public education system. Over the course of the coming decades, Delta State Teachers College would slowly work to expand its academic offerings. As time went on, Delta State Teachers College was offering much more than bachelor’s in education degrees. This development prompted a name change for the institution. Renamed to Delta State College in 1955, this new name change better reflected the school’s emphasis on all types of college experiences. In 1974, the school was renamed once again to Delta State University to better reflect the school’s inclusion of both undergraduate and graduate programming. Now, Delta State University enrolls a student body of almost 3,800 students.
Home of the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen, Delta State University offers its students the opportunity to enroll in a sizable catalog of academic programs. At the time of this writing, students can select from over forty different fields of study at the school. Many of these programs are also made available to students entirely online. Through their allocation of resources towards online education, Delta State University has ranked among the top online universities and colleges in Mississippi. Delta State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Delta State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $295/credit
Click here for a list of Delta State University‘s online programs.
#3. Alcorn State University
With the motto “Where Knowledge and Character Matter”, Alcorn State University is a historically black university. Established in 1871, Alcorn State University is located in Lorman, Mississippi. Prior to the official founding of Alcorn State University, there was an institution known as Oakland College. At the time, Oakland College was a school exclusively for white students. Closing due to the Civil War, Oakland College’s campus was later purchased by the State of Mississippi. In 1871, Oakland College was reopened as Alcorn University, named after James L. Alcorn. James L. Alcorn was the Governor of Mississippi at the time and had designated the school as a land grant college for black students, the first of its kind in the entire United States. Seven years after its founding, Alcorn University was renamed to Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College to reflect the school’s focused academic intentions. Over the coming decades, Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College would make a name for itself as one of the premier state universities. In 1975, Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College was renamed to Alcorn State University. Today, Alcorn State University is home to a student body known as the Braves and the Lady Braves.
Enrolling almost 3,800 students, Alcorn State University offers a large number of degree programs from which students can enroll in. Currently, Alcorn State University is offering over fifty different fields of study for its students. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online. By choosing to offer these programs online, Alcorn State University has ranked among our top Mississippi online colleges. Alcorn State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Alcorn State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $296/credit
Click here for a list of Alcorn State University‘s online programs.
#4. Blue Mountain College
Located in Blue Mountain, Mississippi, Blue Mountain College is a private university. Established in 1873, Blue Mountain College began as a women’s college. Following the end of the Civil War, former Confederate Brigadier-General Mark Perrin Lowrey returned to his home in Blue Mountain, Mississippi. Upon his return, Lowrey began acting on plans to establish a new school in his town. Wanting to provide local women with the opportunity for a higher education, Lowrey opened the Blue Mountain Female Institute. Four years after its founding, the Blue Mountain Female Institute officially received its charter from the State of Mississippi. For the following decades, Lowrey kept ownership and control of the school within the family. In the 1920s, ownership of the school was transferred from the Lowrey family to the Mississippi Baptist Convention. For the next thirty years, Blue Mountain College continued to operate as a women’s college until 1956. It was at this point that the school began to enroll male students into select programs.
Students at Blue Mountain College are able to choose from many different academic programs offered at the school. At the time of this writing, Blue Mountain College offers students over forty different programs of study, including undergraduate and graduate programs. Blue Mountain College also offers many of these programs online, helping the school to rank among our top online colleges in Mississippi. Blue Mountain College is a private institution.
Accreditation: Blue Mountain College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $356/credit
Click here for a list of Blue Mountain College‘s online programs.
#5. University of Southern Mississippi
Known as Southern Miss, the University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university. Established in 1910, the University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Originally established as the Mississippi Normal College, the University of Southern Mississippi’s original purpose was to act as a training facility for teachers. Wanting to bolster the quality of the public education system in the state, the State of Mississippi opened the new school. Over the course of the coming decades, Mississippi Normal College worked towards the expansion of its academic offerings. By 1924, the school was renamed to Mississippi State Teachers College in order to better communicate the school now offering students the opportunity to enroll in college degrees in education. With the addition of degrees in education, Mississippi State Teachers College began experimenting with incorporating other undergraduate degree programs into its curriculum. By 1940, the school was renamed to Mississippi Southern College to better reflect the inclusion of these programs. In 1962, the school was renamed to the University of Southern Mississippi. Now, the school enrolls a student body of almost 15,000 students.
Students at the University of Southern Mississippi are able to choose from many different academic programs being offered at the school. At this time, the University of Southern Mississippi is offering over 100 different academic programs including both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Of these programs, around fifty are made available to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, the University of Southern Mississippi has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Mississippi. University of Southern Mississippi is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $359/credit
Click here for a list of University of Southern Mississippi‘s online programs.
#6. Jackson State University
A historically black university, Jackson State University was first founded in 1877. With the motto “Changing Minds, Changing Lives”, Jackson State University is located in Jackson, Mississippi. Originally located in Natchez, Mississippi, Jackson State University was first known as the Natchez Seminary. At the time, Natchez Seminary was operated by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York City. After operating from Natchez, Mississippi for some time, it was later decided that Natchez Seminary was to be relocated to Jackson, Mississippi. The American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York City felt that it would be best if the school was located in the state’s capital. Moving to Jackson, Mississippi in 1882, Natchez Seminary was renamed to Jackson College. Over the course of the next two decades, Jackson College slowly built up what is now its current campus. Operating independently until 1940, Jackson College was then brought under the purview of the State of Mississippi. With the backing of the state’s public education system, Jackson State University grew into one of the state’s best universities.
Home to over 7,700 students, Jackson State University maintains a large selection of academic programs for its students. At the time of this writing, students at Jackson State University can enroll in dozens of academic programs including undergraduate and graduate degrees. Many of these programs are also offered to students entirely online, helping Jackson State University to secure a place among the top online colleges in Mississippi. Jackson State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Jackson State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $366/credit
Click here for a list of Jackson State University‘s online programs.
#7. Belhaven University
Established in 1883, Belhaven University is a private Christian university. Located in Jackson, Mississippi, Belhaven University was created out of the merger of two separate institutions. Prior to the founding of Belhaven University, Jackson, Mississippi was home to both the Mississippi Synodical College and The McComb Female Institute. Enjoying moderate success, the two institutions figured that if they were to pool resources and work as one institution that they would be better able to achieve their common goals. Merging together in 1883, the new school soon moved to the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson, Mississippi. It was at this point that the school was renamed to Belhaven College for Young Ladies. Over time the school grew to offer students a wider variety of academic programming. With this shift came another name change for the school. Renamed to Belhaven Collegiate and Industrial Institute, the school began to focus on both academics and vocational training. The school then shifted away from vocational training towards only academics and was renamed Belhaven College then Belhaven University. Today, Belhaven University enrolls over 4,400 students.
With the motto “Not To Be Served But To Serve”, Belhaven University offers its students a large selection of academic programs. Students at Belhaven University can choose from dozens of degree programs including both undergraduate and graduate programs. A large number of these degrees are also offered to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, Belhaven University has earned its place among the top online colleges in Mississippi. Belhaven University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Belhaven University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $380/credit
Click here for a list of Belhaven University‘s online programs.
#8. Mississippi State University
The largest university in Mississippi, Mississippi State University‘s official name is The Mississippi State University for Agriculture and Applied Science. A public research university, Mississippi State University is located in Starkville, Mississippi. Established in 1878, Mississippi State University began its history as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi. A land-grant college, The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi was to focus on educating students on topics surrounding agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical arts. Over the course of the coming years, The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi took part in a variety of government programs to help fund the school’s growth. Utilizing this funding allowed The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi to grow beyond its initial means. By 1932, it was decided that the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi was to be renamed to Mississippi State College to better reflect the scope of its academic offerings. Now, Mississippi State University enrolls over 22,000 students.
Home of the Bulldogs, Mississippi State University currently offers a sizable catalog of academic programs for students to enroll in. Students at Mississippi State University can enroll in over 175 different undergraduate and graduate programs at the school. Many of these programs are also offered to students online. By offering these programs online, Mississippi State University has demonstrated its commitment to online learning, thus earning it a spot among our top online colleges in Mississippi. Mississippi State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $381/credit
Click here for a list of Mississippi State University‘s online programs.
#9. William Carey University
Originally founded in 1892, William Carey University is a private Christian college. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, William Carey University also maintains an additional campus in Biloxi, Mississippi. William Carey University’s earliest history can be traced back to Poplarville, Mississippi. In 1892, W.I. Thames opened a school in Poplarville known as the Pearl River Boarding School. After a fire destroyed the institution, Thames moved the school from Poplar to Hattiesburg. Reinventing the Pearl River Boarding School, Thames renamed the institution South Mississippi College. Unfortunately, another fire struck the campus, and it was forced to close and reopen. This time, the school was known as the Mississippi Woman’s College. Avoiding any further fire-related incidents, the Mississippi Woman’s College was able to continue to grow and attract students from across the state. By 1954, it was decided that the school would become coeducational, and it was to be renamed William Carey College. This name was chosen to honor William Carey, who was a missionary and widely-regarded as the Father of Modern Protestant Missions. Today, the school is now known as William Carey University.
Enrolling nearly 4,700 students, William Carey University maintains a large catalog of academic programs from which students can choose to enroll in. At the time of this writing, students at William Carey University can choose from dozens of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees. A large portion of William Carey University’s programs is also offered to students entirely online. By offering these programs online, William Carey University has earned its place among the top online colleges in Mississippi. William Carey University is a private institution.
Accreditation: William Carey University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $390/credit
Click here for a list of William Carey University‘s online programs.
#10. Mississippi College
The second-oldest Baptist-related college in the entire United States, Mississippi College is located in Clinton, Mississippi. With the motto “Truth and Virtue”, Mississippi College was originally known as Hampstead Academy. This name was short-lived as the school was soon renamed to Mississippi Academy in 1827. Originally, the Mississippi Academy operated as a primary and secondary school. However, the board of trustees decided that it would be better to have the school function as a college, so it was renamed in 1830 to Mississippi College. Admitting female students into its academic programs, Mississippi College was also the first school in the United States to grant a degree to a woman. Mississippi College initially was operated privately but partnered with the Mississippi Baptist Convention in 1850. This partnership gave Mississippi College access to additional funding and resources to help fuel the school’s continued growth. As the school moved into the future, Mississippi College continued to grow and make its mark on Mississippi. Now, Mississippi College enrolls a student body of over 5,100 students.
Home of the Choctaws, Mississippi College currently offers its students the opportunity to select from a wide array of academic programs. Students at Mississippi College can choose from over eighty different undergraduate degrees and over fifty graduate programs. Dedicating resources to online education, Mississippi College offers many of these programs online, earning it a place among the top Mississippi online colleges. Mississippi College is a private institution.
Accreditation: Mississippi College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Tuition: $514/credit
Click here for a list of Mississippi College‘s online programs.
NPCO Staff
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