Mississippi Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Mississippi College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Mississippi institutions.
Top Mississippi Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mississippi | Public 4-yr | $9,314 | $26,926 | 19,300 |
| Mississippi State University | Public 4-yr | $9,665 | $26,500 | 18,800 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Public 4-yr | $9,492 | $11,454 | 11,700 |
| Jackson State University | Public 4-yr | $8,656 | $19,624 | 5,400 |
| Mississippi Valley State | Public 4-yr | $8,047 | $8,047 | 2,100 |
| Alcorn State University | Public 4-yr | $8,100 | $8,100 | 2,600 |
| Millsaps College | Private | $49,640 | $49,640 | 700 |
| Hinds Community College | Community | $3,450 | $6,150 | 10,000 |
Mississippi State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (MOSL).
MTAG (Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant)
Grant for MS residents at eligible MS institutions with 2.5+ GPA and 15+ ACT.
MESG (Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant)
Merit grant for MS residents with 3.5+ GPA and 29+ ACT / 1330+ SAT.
HELP Grant
Full tuition at eligible MS public institutions for MS residents meeting need and academic criteria (3.5+ GPA, 20+ ACT).
Student Loan Options for Mississippi Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Mississippi have a state student loan program?
No. Mississippi does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Mississippi residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Mississippi state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Mississippi students and families.
How much does college cost in Mississippi?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Mississippi public four-year universities is about $9,300 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $23,400 on campus for Mississippi residents and $31,200 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Mississippi?
Mississippi borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $37,100. Total outstanding federal student debt for Mississippi residents is approximately $9.0 billion.
Does Mississippi offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Mississippi administers MTAG (merit-based), MESG (top merit), HELP Grant (full tuition for academically qualified need-based students), the MS Teacher Loan Program, and the Nursing Education Loan.
Does Mississippi have a state student loan program?
No. Mississippi does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Mississippi residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Mississippi colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
MS community colleges average $3,450 per year. Mississippi Valley State is lowest among four-year publics at $8,047, followed by Alcorn State. Mississippi State is highest in-state at $9,665.
What scholarships are available for Mississippi residents?
Key awards include MTAG, MESG, HELP, the MS Teacher Loan, and the Nursing Education Loan. Millsaps offers substantial institutional aid.
Related Mississippi Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Mississippi public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- MS Office of Student Financial Aid program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller