Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Mississippi University for Women at a Glance
Mississippi University for Women is a coeducational public university in Columbus, Mississippi. It was formerly named the "Industrial Institute and College for the Education of White Girls" and later the "Mississippi State College for Women". Men have been admitted to MUW since 1982 and as of 2022 made up 23 percent of the student body. As a public liberal arts college, MUW is one of 30 universities in the United States and Canada that comprise the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges.
1884
142 years old
$69M
$69 million (2024)
2,371
208
114 acres
Identity
Is Mississippi University for Women Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, Mississippi University for Women is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,128 — 14% below average — while paying $12,411/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 42% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Mississippi University for Women has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Mississippi University for Women compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #46 of 98 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #46 | Mississippi University for Women | 39 | $12,411 | $46,128 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Mississippi University for Women's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MS.
Best Programs at Mississippi University for Women
The highest-earning program at Mississippi University for Women is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $57,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $19,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Mississippi University for Women earns $57,900, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $19,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $12,500 in median debt vs. $30,133 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,411/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,900 | $57,900 | $12,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,000 | $31,000 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,900 | $30,900 | $23,246 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | $23,900 | $23,900 | $25,722 |
| Public Health | $22,100 | $22,100 | $28,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $19,500 | $19,500 | $30,133 |
Similar Colleges in MS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Columbus, MS
- Student Body
- 1,605 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,411
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,128
- Median Student Debt
- $15,000