Mississippi Nursing Schools And Programs

Mississippi pairs low tuition with the lowest cost of living in the country, so a nursing salary that looks modest on paper stretches further here than almost anywhere else. This guide covers how to get licensed in the state, what nurses earn, and the accredited programs worth a look.

The Best Nursing Schools in Mississippi

Copiah-Lincoln Community College

Co-Lin's 72-credit associate program prepares students for entry-level practice. Students finish 27 general education credits before starting the nursing curriculum, which includes pediatric, maternal-newborn, and psychiatric nursing. About 70% of the 2020 cohort graduated within six semesters.

• Program(s): Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
• Campus: Wesson, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $150/credit (in state, part time); $1,500/semester (in state, full time); $250/credit (out of state, part time); $2,500/semester (out of state, full time)
• Admission Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma; minimum 2.5 GPA from previous college coursework; minimum 18 ACT composite score; completion of prerequisite courses
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $52,107 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

University of Mississippi

UMMC runs the full range of nursing degrees, from bachelor's through Ph.D. Doctoral students take biostatistics, grant writing, and data analysis, sit qualifying exams, and complete a dissertation.

• Program(s): Ph.D. in Nursing
• Campus: Jackson, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $499/credit (in state); $1,465/credit (out of state)
• Admission Requirements: BSN or MSN; RN licensure eligibility; minimum 3.2 GPA; GRE scores; three letters of recommendation; interview
• Minimum Time Commitment: 60 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.2%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,397 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Itawamba Community College

Itawamba's associate degree runs five semesters and covers dosage and pharmacology, medical-surgical and mental health nursing, and family-centered care. Students practice in an onsite simulation lab and at nearby hospitals and nursing homes.

• Program(s): Associate Degree in Nursing
• Campus: Fulton, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $1,450/semester (in state, full time); $140/credit (in state, part time); $2,550 (out of state, full time); $240/credit (out of state, part time)
• Admission Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma; minimum 18 ACT composite score; completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum "C" grade
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $51,794 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

East Mississippi Community College

EMCC offers an associate of nursing and an LPN-to-RN bridge, both built around four pillars: person, society, health, and nursing. The curriculum pairs four nine-credit nursing courses with general education classes like anatomy and physiology and psychology.

• Program(s): Associate Degree in Nursing
• Campus: Scooba, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $1,750/semester (in state); $3,250/semester (out of state)
• Admission Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma; minimum 18 ACT composite score; minimum 2.5 GPA on previous college coursework; completion of prerequisite courses with minimum "C" grade; unencumbered LPN licensure, IV certification, and employer verification for LPN-to-RN track
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.5%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $48,935 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

Alcorn State University

Alcorn runs two tracks to the associate degree, one for general applicants and one for LPNs. Both cover microbiology, client-centered care I and II, and developmental psychology. The university also offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral nursing degrees.

• Program(s): Associate of Science in Nursing
• Campus: Natchez, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $304/credit
• Admission Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma; minimum 18 ACT composite score; completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum "C" grade
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 78.6%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $53,179 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

Southwest Mississippi Community College

SMCC offers an associate degree and an LPN-to-RN bridge, with an emphasis on culturally appropriate care. Courses include microbiology, foundations of nursing, and health and illness concepts. All coursework is completed on the Summit campus.

• Program(s): Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
• Campus: Summit, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $1,600/semester (in state, full time); $140/credit (in state, part time); $1,950/semester (out of state, full time); $260/credit (out of state, part time)
• Admission Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma; minimum 18 ACT composite score; minimum 60 TEAS score; completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum "C" grade and a minimum 2.5 GPA; unencumbered LPN licensure and employment verification for LPN-to-RN track
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $54,035 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

Northeast Mississippi Community College

NEMCC offers a 72-credit associate degree and an LPN-to-ADN track. Coursework covers nursing trends and issues, nursing care of the family, and human growth and development.

• Program(s): Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
• Campus: Booneville, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $1,825/semester (in state, full time); $183/credit (in state, part time); $3,465/semester (out of state, full time); $347/credit (out of state, part time)
• Admission Requirements: Applicants with an ACT composite of 19 or higher need a minimum 2.0 GPA from prerequisite courses; applicants scoring 17-18 need a minimum 2.5 GPA from prerequisite courses
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $47,494 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

Mississippi University for Women

MUW offers associate through doctoral nursing programs. Courses include pharmacology, human growth and development, and NCLEX-RN review. The associate degree gives LPNs advanced placement, but students must earn at least 36 credits at MUW.

• Program(s): Associate of Science in Nursing
• Campus: Columbus, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $3,828/semester (full time); $319/credit (part time)
• Admission Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma; completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum "C" grade; minimum 18 ACT composite score or minimum 2.5 GPA across 12 college credits
• Minimum Time Commitment: 9 months (LPN-to-RN program)
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $51,794 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

MGCCC's 66-credit associate degree runs four prerequisite classes, four semesters of nursing coursework, and 1,560 contact hours. Courses include fundamentals of nursing practice, dosage calculations, adult health I and II, and advanced concepts of nursing practice.

• Program(s): Associate Degree in Nursing
• Campus: Biloxi, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $1,650/semester (in state, full time); $165/credit (in state, part time); $3,300/semester (out of state, full time); $330/credit (out of state, part time)
• Admission Requirements: Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum "C" grade; minimum 18 ACT composite score or completion of additional prerequisites
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $51,993 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

Coahoma Community College

Coahoma's associate degree is built for LPNs. It runs two semesters of general education, one summer term, and two semesters of nursing courses covering anatomy and physiology, mental health nursing, family health nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and NCLEX-RN review.

• Program(s): Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
• Campus: Clarksdale, MS
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $1,525/semester (in state, full time); $170/credit (in state, part time); $3,075/semester (out of state, full time); $405/credit (out of state, part time)
• Admission Requirements: GED certificate or high school diploma; minimum 18 ACT composite score; completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum "C" grade and a minimum 2.5 GPA; unencumbered LPN licensure; employment verification; immunization records; background check
• Onsite Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100%
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $58,673 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Mississippi

Weigh tuition, program length, and financial aid against your own goals. Confirm the school is accredited, then check its NCLEX-RN pass rate and graduation rate. Those two numbers tell you more about program strength than any marketing copy will.

Why Become a Nurse in Mississippi

Mississippi combines affordable programs, above-average NCLEX pass rates, and the lowest cost of living in the country. That last point matters: a salary that ranks near the bottom nationally buys more here than a higher salary does in most other states.

The state also belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), now more than 40 states and jurisdictions. An NLC multistate license lets Mississippi RNs practice in other compact states with minimal paperwork and deliver telehealth across state lines.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Mississippi

Mississippi RNs average about $79,500 a year, among the lowest of any state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024). Nurse practitioners do better, averaging roughly $120,000. Factor in the rock-bottom cost of living and those numbers go further than they look.

Demand keeps climbing. As in most states, an aging population and a wave of nurse retirements continue to push employment growth across Mississippi.

The highest-paying work clusters around Jackson, the state capital, with the Gulf Coast metros of Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula close behind. The sparsely populated north generally pays less than the central and coastal cities.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Mississippi

Complete a program approved by the state's Institutions of Higher Learning. Undergraduate graduates then pass the NCLEX-RN to apply for licensure; graduate-degree holders apply for licensure in their specialty. Both RNs and APRNs meet continuing education requirements to renew.

RN Requirements

Graduate from an accredited program with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), then pass the NCLEX-RN, which costs $200. Apply for licensure with a $100 application fee and a $75 criminal background check fee.

RNs complete at least 20 contact hours of continuing education per renewal period. The period runs from January 1 of each odd-numbered year through December 31 of the following even-numbered year, and nurses can carry over up to 10 hours from the prior period.

APRN Requirements

Hold an unencumbered Mississippi RN license, earn a master of science in nursing or doctor of nursing practice, and obtain national certification in one of four roles: nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist.

APRNs complete at least 40 contact hours of continuing education per renewal period, on the same schedule as RNs, and can carry over up to 20 hours. At least 10 hours must cover controlled substances, and carryover hours do not count toward that requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Mississippi

How much does a nursing license cost in Mississippi?

For RNs, the $100 application fee, $75 background check fee, and $200 NCLEX fee total $375, plus a $100 renewal fee every two years. APRNs pay the $100 application fee and $75 background check fee; their certification exam cost varies by specialty, and renewal is also $100 every two years.

How long does it take to become an RN in Mississippi?

An ADN takes about two years full time; a BSN takes about four.

What is Mississippi's NCLEX-RN pass rate?

Mississippi's first-time pass rate has run above the national average in recent years. The state allows six attempts within two years of graduation, with at least 45 days between retakes.