Below are the top MSN programs in the state, what graduates can do with the degree, and what they earn.
Mississippi MSN Programs and Schools
University of Mississippi Medical Center
RNs with a bachelor's degree can advance toward nurse educator, nurse practitioner, or nurse administrator roles here.
- Campus: Jackson, MS
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $389/credit in-state; $1,058/credit out-of-state
- Minimum time commitment: 37-51 credits
- Online availability: Hybrid
- Admission: BSN, 3.0 GPA, statistics course, GRE, clinical experience, RN license, TOEFL if applicable
- Programs: RN-to-MSN; MSN (Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Acute Care Adult-Gerontology NP, Psychiatric/Mental Health NP, Family NP)
University of Southern Mississippi
USM's MSN programs prepare advanced practice nurses through a core curriculum plus coursework in statistics and research, role development and ethics, and healthcare finance and policy.
- Campus: Hattiesburg, MS
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $388/credit in-state; $865/credit out-of-state
- Minimum time commitment: 44-47 credits
- Online availability: Yes
- Admission: BSN, 3.0 GPA, GRE, statistics course, three letters of reference, RN license
- Programs: RN-to-MSN; MSN Adult-Gerontology NP; Family Psychiatric Mental Health NP; Family NP
Robert E. Smith School of Nursing (Delta State University)
Students pursue nurse administrator, nurse educator, or nurse practitioner tracks. Admission requires a current RN license and a bachelor's degree.
- Campus: Cleveland, MS
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $334/credit
- Minimum time commitment: 44 credits (nurse administrator), 45 (nurse educator), 42 (nurse practitioner)
- Online availability: Yes
- Admission: BSN, 3.0 GPA, GRE, one year work experience, RN license, resume, personal statement, three letters of reference, pathophysiology course, interview
- Programs: MSN Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Practitioner (Family, Gerontological, Psych Mental Health)
William Carey University
Carey's MSN programs build on baccalaureate training to prepare nurses for education and leadership roles, helping address the state's nursing shortage.
- Campus: Hattiesburg, MS
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $315/trimester hour
- Minimum time commitment: Six semester hours
- Online availability: Yes
- Admission: Transcripts, two letters of recommendation, RN license, resume, personal statement
- Programs: MSN Nursing Education, Case Management, Gerontological Nursing, Healthcare Simulation Education, Nursing Administration, Population-Focused Nursing
Mississippi University for Women
"The W" established its MSN programs in 1975, making them among the oldest and most established in the state, accredited throughout.
- Campus: Columbus, MS
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $2,770/semester in-state; $7,630/semester out-of-state
- Minimum time commitment: 39 credits
- Online availability: No
- Admission: Transcripts, 3.0 GPA, GRE, three letters of recommendation, immunizations, BSN, statistics course, RN license, two years work experience, pathophysiology course, background check, drug screening, interview
- Programs: Family NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP
Alcorn State University
Alcorn's Graduate Nursing Department offers nurse educator and nurse practitioner tracks, plus postmaster's certificates.
- Campus: Lorman, Natchez, and Vicksburg, MS
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: NLNAC
- Tuition: $21,288/year in-state; $30,529/year out-of-state
- Minimum time commitment: 43 credits (FNP), 51 (GNP), 37 (NE), 55 (PMHNP)
- Online availability: No
- Admission: GRE, two letters of recommendation, transcripts, TOEFL if applicable, personal statement, BSN, RN license
- Programs: MSN Family NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Geriatrics NP
Program details reflect a 2021 ranking. Confirm current tuition, credit requirements, and admission rules with each school before applying.
What an MSN Gets You in Mississippi
A graduate degree has become close to a baseline for advancement in nursing, especially for nurse practitioners. Mississippi's online and hybrid MSN programs train nurse educators, nurse practitioners, and nurse administrators on a schedule that works for licensed nurses. Most require a bachelor's degree in nursing and a valid RN license to apply.
Salary and Job Outlook
Mississippi employs several thousand nurse practitioners, who work mostly in physicians' offices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers. NPs in the state earn a mean of roughly $124,000 a year, below the national picture: the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a combined median of $132,050 for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse-midwives in May 2024. Pay varies with experience, setting, and whether you work in a metro or rural area. Mississippi is a full Nurse Licensure Compact member, so an RN license earned here carries multistate practice privileges.
Nursing Resources for Mississippi
The Mississippi Nurses Association represents RNs and NPs and offers continuing education, exam discounts, and specialty conferences.
The Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners provides networking, leadership opportunities, and conferences for current and future NPs.
The Mississippi Board of Nursing grants licensure to LPNs, RNs, and NPs through its online portal.
The Mississippi Organization for Associate Degree Nursing promotes associate degrees as an affordable route to LPN or RN licensure.
The Mississippi Nurses Foundation awards grants and scholarships and offers continuing education and networking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a BSN to enroll in a Mississippi MSN program? Most programs require a BSN and a current RN license. Several Mississippi schools also offer RN-to-MSN bridges for nurses who hold an associate degree.
How long does an MSN take in Mississippi? Full-time tracks generally run about two years (roughly 37-51 credits, depending on the concentration). Part-time and hybrid options take longer but fit a working nurse's schedule.
What can I do with an MSN in Mississippi? The degree qualifies you for nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse administrator roles. Mississippi's shortage of providers and faculty makes all three in demand across the state.
How much do nurse practitioners earn in Mississippi? NPs in the state average roughly $124,000 a year, somewhat below the national figures. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a combined median of $132,050 for nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse-midwives in May 2024.
Does a Mississippi RN license work in other states? Yes. Mississippi is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an unrestricted Mississippi RN license carries multistate practice privileges.
Why does accreditation matter for an MSN? Accreditation from CCNE or ACEN is required for licensure and federal financial aid, and it lets you transfer credits and sit for national certification exams. Confirm a program's current accreditation before you apply.