Mississippi Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
Aspiring teachers in Mississippi must complete a state-approved educator preparation program to qualify for certification. This guide is designed to help you explore your options for teaching degrees and programs in Mississippi. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved schools along with lists of respected and affordable programs to support your search for the best path toward a teaching career in the state.
Table of Contents
- MS Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 10 Affordable MS Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Mississippi Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Mississippi Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 15 Mississippi teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Mississippi traditional certification guide and our Mississippi alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcorn State University | Yes | 37 | 16 | N.Av. | 26 | 24 | 6% | $17,938 |
| Belhaven University | No | 23 | 1 | N.Av. | 524 | 240 | 40% | $18,324 |
| Blue Mountain College | No | 154 | 51 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $13,682 |
| Delta State University | Yes | 82 | 53 | 69% | 89 | 36 | N.Av. | $14,299 |
| Jackson State University | Yes | 145 | 44 | N.Av. | 145 | 44 | 33% | $14,915 |
| Millsaps College | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | $24,263 |
| Mississippi College | Yes | 108 | 44 | 95% | 47 | 20 | N.Av. | $18,800 |
| Mississippi State University | Yes | 844 | 339 | 67% | 367 | 138 | 75% | $16,402 |
| Mississippi University for Women | Yes | 67 | 26 | 65% | 39 | 24 | N.Av. | $13,023 |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Yes | 55 | 18 | N.Av. | 57 | 45 | 8% | $11,064 |
| Rust College | No | 9 | 4 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $8,644 |
| Tougaloo College | No | 24 | 6 | N.Av. | 2 | 2 | N.Av. | $12,967 |
| University of Mississippi | Yes | 425 | 211 | 88% | 59 | 35 | N.Av. | $13,540 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Yes | 825 | 292 | 81% | 82 | 21 | 93% | $14,794 |
| William Carey University | Yes | 452 | 123 | 36% | 615 | 155 | 89% | $14,834 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Mississippi
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 10 most affordable schools have a net price under $15,000.
- Rust College ($8,644)
- Mississippi Valley State University ($11,064)
- Tougaloo College ($12,967)
- Mississippi University for Women ($13,023)
- University of Mississippi ($13,540)
- Blue Mountain College ($13,682)
- Delta State University ($14,299)
- University of Southern Mississippi ($14,794)
- William Carey University ($14,834)
- Jackson State University ($14,915)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Mississippi
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Mississippi
Our list of the top three bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Mississippi College (95%)
- University of Mississippi (88%)
- University of Southern Mississippi (81%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The nine Mississippi schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Coahoma Community College
- Copiah‑Lincoln Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Holmes Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Pearl River Community College
- Rust College*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/