Are you interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills to boost your career or personal growth, but the traditional on-campus option does not sound like the option for you? Do not worry too much dear Mississippi aspiring student! The Magnolia State is teaming with top-notch online colleges, offering flexible and enriching educational experiences right from the comfort of your couch.
Whether you are a busy professional juggling work and family, a seasoned student seeking a career change, or simply someone who thrives in a self-paced learning environment, online education opens doors to a world of possibilities. This post will serve as a guide to discovering the best online colleges in Mississippi.
We will look into a diverse range of institutions, from established public universities with decades of online experience to private colleges known for their personalized approach. We will explore their academic offerings, highlighting unique programs, faculty expertise, and accreditation details. See our comprehensive list of the best online colleges in Mississippi below.
Best Online Colleges in Mississippi
1. Alcorn State University
At the top of our list of the best online colleges in Mississippi, we have Alcorn State University. AU was established in 1871 as the first public, historically black, land-grant institution in the United States. This University operates campuses in Lorman, Natchez, and Vicksburg with a combined enrollment of over 3,500 students annually.
Alcorn State University offers online bachelor’s degrees in child development, criminal justice, and business administration. These programs are offered at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and are predominantly focused on advanced education and training in nursing, catering to those aspiring to become nurse educators, family nurse practitioners, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) professionals.
Other available graduate degrees encompass a master of biology, a master of science in secondary education, and an elementary education specialist degree.
Undergraduate applications are open throughout the year, necessitating satisfactory ACT or SAT scores and the submission of official high school transcripts or a GED certificate. Graduate admission requirements vary depending on the specific program.
2. Mississippi College
Mississippi College was established as the second-oldest Baptist-affiliated college in the United States and the oldest college in Mississippi. It is also the largest private institution in the state with over 5,000 students enrolled annually at its main campus in Clinton.
For online undergraduates, Mississippi College offers bachelor’s degrees in eight disciplines. The programs offered at this college include business administration, accounting, communication, and finance. MC offers flexibility by providing a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts pathway, accommodating both professional and academic aspirations.
Graduate students can choose from over 20 master’s and education specialist degrees or a doctorate in professional counseling. The accelerated 30-credit MBA program features eight-week classes.
Undergraduate applicants are required to submit official transcripts and test scores. Graduate admission requirements vary based on the chosen program. Online students residing outside the state are eligible for in-state tuition rates.
3. Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University, situated in Starkville, is a public, land-grant research university. With over 21,000 students attending classes on the main campus, MSU is reputed to have the highest enrollment among all campuses in the state.
MSU offers a wide array of online programs, totaling over 40, which encompass six certificates, seven bachelor’s degrees, 22 master’s degrees, and seven doctoral degrees spanning the arts, sciences, business, education, and technology fields. The university also offers a comprehensive array of engineering degrees for graduate students, covering aerospace, civil, computational, industrial, mechanical, and electrical and computer disciplines. Online study options extend to scientific fields like geosciences, food science, forestry, and biology.
Prospective undergraduates are required to submit official transcripts, while graduate admission requirements vary depending on the chosen program. Online learners at MSU pay a uniform tuition rate, irrespective of their place of residence.
4. Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a public research institution and one of the largest historically black universities in the United States. The school boasts an annual enrollment of over 7,000 students. To cater to nontraditional and distance learners, JSU employs online learning platforms and maintains satellite campuses throughout the Jackson metropolitan area, thus extending its academic outreach.
JSU’s online students can opt for five bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees, and three education specialist programs. The university offers a diverse range of study areas, including criminal justice, healthcare administration, history, and sport science. Additionally, JSU provides a bachelor of science in professional interdisciplinary studies, enabling students to tailor a comprehensive curriculum to align with various personal and professional objectives.
For undergraduate admission, applicants are required to submit official transcripts along with ACT or SAT scores. Graduate admission procedures vary based on the chosen program. Importantly, all online students at JSU are subject to uniform tuition rates.
5. University of Mississippi
Established by the Mississippi Legislature in 1844, the University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, held the distinction of being the state’s sole public higher education institution for over two decades. Presently, this research university boasts an annual enrollment of over 20,000 students spread across multiple campuses and is recognized as one of the top online colleges in Mississippi.
Ole Miss provides an array of online undergraduate courses designed to complement an on-campus curriculum. Additionally, undergraduates have the opportunity to complete 10 minors in an online format, while graduate students can choose from 14 fully online certificates and degrees. Noteworthy graduate offerings include a master’s degree in air and space law and an education specialist degree in counselor education with a play therapy track.
Prospective students applying to an online graduate program need to submit an application to the graduate school and fulfill program-specific requirements, which may encompass a minimum GPA, work experience, licensure, and/or prerequisites.
6. The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi operates a main campus in Hattiesburg, a second campus in Long Beach, and five additional sites across Mississippi, including the John C. Stennis Space Center and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. Catering to around 14,000 students annually through on-campus and online programs, Southern Miss offers a diverse range of educational opportunities.
Southern Mississippi University offers online students a choice of 49 programs, covering undergraduate and graduate certificates, as well as bachelor’s, master’s, and education specialist degrees. Postgraduate options extend to two doctorates of education and a Ph.D. in nursing leadership.
While the majority of online courses at Southern Miss are asynchronous, some professors may require synchronous meetings conducted via webcam or chat. Notably, online undergraduate core courses are offered in collaboration with the Mississippi Virtual Community College.
Undergraduate admission necessitates a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 and qualifying test scores. Graduate admission is competitive, and specific requirements vary by program. It is noteworthy that out-of-state online students at Southern Miss are eligible for in-state tuition rates.
7. Belhaven University
Belhaven University, located in Jackson, is a Christian liberal arts institution that offers flexible academic options through its main campus, four satellite campuses, and online platforms. Affiliated primarily with Presbyterian denominations, Belhaven places a strong emphasis on individual growth and development.
Belhaven’s array of online programs covers all academic levels, featuring certificates, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The university provides over a dozen areas of study, including accounting, biblical studies, hospitality management, applied psychology, and business administration.
Students meeting eligibility criteria have the opportunity to earn credits based on prior learning, which can come from examinations, military training, professional certifications, and/or an experience portfolio.
Admission requirements at Belhaven vary based on the chosen program and the student’s status. These requirements may include letters of recommendation, a resume, test scores, and essays. Tuition costs are not impacted by state residency, except in the case of education programs, which offer discounted tuition rates to Mississippi residents.
8. William Carey University
William Carey University, a Christian liberal arts college that has affiliations with the Southern Baptist Convention, operates campuses in Hattiesburg and Biloxi. It is recognized as one of the best online colleges in Mississippi, the university provides a variety of hybrid and fully online programs.
For students seeking a blend of online and on-campus courses, William Carey University offers three hybrid programs. These include a bachelor’s program in elementary education tailored for working teacher assistants, along with doctoral tracks in nursing education and nursing administration.
For enhanced flexibility, the university presents three bachelor’s and 14 master’s programs available entirely online. These cover diverse disciplines such as business, criminal justice, nursing, music and ministry studies, and education.
Prospective first-year students are required to submit a completed application, transcripts, and test scores. Graduate and postgraduate applicants must meet specific requirements based on their chosen program. Importantly, online tuition rates at William Carey University remain unaffected by state residency.
9. Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women was established in 1884 as the first public women’s college in the United States. It underwent a significant transformation in 1982 when it became fully coeducational. Presently, the university caters to over 2,500 students annually, both online and on its campus in Columbus.
For those who have completed their education at community colleges, MUW provides the opportunity to transfer and pursue a bachelor’s degree online. The available programs span various fields such as general business, public health education, and human resources management.
MUW extends its offerings to include four online master’s degrees in business administration, education, and public health. Additionally, they provide a noteworthy online option: a 15-credit executive certificate in general business, designed to enhance professional skills and knowledge without the commitment of a full-degree program.
Prospective undergraduate transfer applicants are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in their previous college courses. As for potential graduate students, the application process entails the submission of relevant test scores, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.
10. Blue Mountain College
Blue Mountain College, affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, is a liberal arts institution with roots dating back to its founding as a women’s college in 1873. In 2005, the college underwent a significant shift, transitioning to a fully coeducational model. Today, it attracts an enrollment of approximately 600 students annually.
The college stands out as one of Mississippi’s premier online educational institutions, offering distinct advantages such as small class sizes, personalized attention, flexibility, and value. For undergraduate students, BMC provides three program options in psychology or business administration, available as either a bachelor of arts or a science degree.
Business administration students can further tailor their studies by choosing a concentration in marketing or management. With six annual start dates and courses spanning eight weeks, BMC provides a convenient and accessible online learning experience.
Notably, BMC distinguishes itself by not imposing an application fee. Undergraduate admission decisions hinge on the academic records and test scores of prospective students from high school and/or college. Importantly, all online learners, regardless of their state of residency, are charged the same tuition rates.