University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Mississippi at a Glance
The University of Mississippi is a public research university in Oxford, Mississippi, United States. The university's medical center is located in Jackson, Mississippi.
1844
182 years old
$1.0B
$1 billion (2025)
28,405
Identity
Is University of Mississippi Worth It?
University of Mississippi delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $13,314/year, it's priced 35% below average, while graduates go on to earn $50,994 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 70% graduation rate means roughly 30% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Mississippi compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #21 of 73 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 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #4 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #5 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #6 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #21 | University of Mississippi | 67 | $13,314 | $50,994 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Mississippi's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in MS.
Best Programs at University of Mississippi
The highest-earning program at University of Mississippi is Mechanical Engineering at $59,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $22,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of Mississippi earns $59,300, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $22,400. 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: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $22,500 in median debt vs. $24,929 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,314/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,300 | $59,300 | $22,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,400 | $56,400 | $13,668 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $51,100 | $51,100 | $14,833 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $47,100 | $47,100 | $19,079 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $44,900 | $44,900 | $17,744 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,800 | $44,800 | $19,418 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $42,000 | $42,000 | $15,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,500 | $41,500 | $19,750 |
| Marketing | $39,800 | $39,800 | $23,119 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,199 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $35,100 | $35,100 | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,500 | $33,500 | $20,162 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,800 | $32,800 | $17,247 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $31,800 | $31,800 | $25,000 |
| Journalism | $27,300 | $27,300 | $21,965 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,900 | $26,900 | $20,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,100 | $26,100 | $20,641 |
| Social Work | $24,300 | $24,300 | $22,553 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,600 | $22,600 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $22,400 | $22,400 | $24,929 |
Similar Colleges in MS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- University, MS
- Student Body
- 21,473 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 70%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,314
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,994
- Median Student Debt
- $20,000