Question 1

How many accredited nursing programs are in Mississippi?

Accepted Answer

Mississippi has dozens of accredited nursing programs across community colleges and four-year universities, listed in full on this page. Every school on this page is verified in the federal IPEDS database and carries either CCNE or ACEN accreditation. The map above plots each program's location and the sortable table below shows in-state tuition, program length, and completion rate for direct comparison.

Question 2

Which Mississippi nursing program has the highest NCLEX-RN pass rate?

Accepted Answer

The Mississippi Board of Nursing publishes annual first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved program in the state. Rates fluctuate year to year. Our NCLEX pass rates guide compiles the most recent state-level and top-program data for Mississippi and every other state, updated after each board release. Check the current annual report from Mississippi Board of Nursing before your final enrollment decision.

Question 3

What is the average cost of nursing school in Mississippi?

Accepted Answer

Public community college ADN programs in Mississippi typically cost between $3,000 and $8,000 per year for state residents. Public university BSN programs run $8,000 to $15,000 per year in-state and $22,000 to $35,000 per year out-of-state. Private university BSN programs charge $28,000 to $45,000 per year regardless of residency. Institutional aid, state grants, and federal Pell grants substantially reduce out-of-pocket cost for most students.

Question 4

Do Mississippi hospitals hire ADN-prepared nurses or require a BSN?

Accepted Answer

Most Mississippi hospitals hire ADN registered nurses for medical-surgical, long-term care, and outpatient settings. Larger urban systems and magnet-status facilities increasingly prefer or require a BSN for hospital positions, especially in specialty units like ICU, ER, and OR. If you start at ADN level, plan for an online RN-to-BSN completion within three years of your first job. Most hospitals offer tuition reimbursement for this bridge.

Question 5

How does Mississippi RN licensure work?

Accepted Answer

After graduating from a Mississippi Board of Nursing approved program, apply for RN licensure through Mississippi Board of Nursing, complete a criminal background check, and register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE. Once approved to test, you have 90 days to schedule your exam. See the how-to-become-a-nurse guide for the complete step-by-step process, including timing, fees, and endorsement rules for nurses moving to Mississippi from other states.

Question 6

Is Mississippi part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Accepted Answer

Compact membership varies by state and changes as legislatures act. Once you hold a compact-state RN license, you can practice in any of the 41 other compact states without additional licensure. Check the current status of Mississippi in the Nurse Licensure Compact through Mississippi Board of Nursing before assuming multi-state privileges. Non-compact states require endorsement application and fees for each additional state you plan to practice in.

Question 7

What is the RN salary in Mississippi?

Accepted Answer

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows RN median wages in Mississippi vary significantly by metro area, hospital type, and specialty. Statewide medians typically fall between $65,000 and $90,000 per year. Urban acute care and specialty units pay above the state median. Rural and long-term care settings pay below. Travel nursing contracts in Mississippi commonly pay $2,000 to $2,800 per week. Full salary breakdown by specialty and years of experience is on the nurse salary guide.

Question 8

Are there online nursing programs available to Mississippi residents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mississippi residents can enroll in any CCNE-accredited online BSN, RN-to-BSN, or MSN program that accepts out-of-state students. Six commonly-available accredited online programs are compared on the online nursing programs page, including options that place students at local Mississippi hospitals for clinical rotations. Online programs are particularly popular for working nurses in Mississippi who need scheduling flexibility around 12-hour shift work.

Question 9

What prerequisite classes do I need before applying to a Mississippi nursing program?

Accepted Answer

Nursing programs in Mississippi typically require the same core prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab, Microbiology with lab, General Chemistry, Nutrition, English Composition, College Algebra or Statistics, Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Sociology. Community colleges in Mississippi offer these prerequisites at low cost and credits transfer directly to state university BSN programs. Plan for two full semesters to complete prerequisites before applying to your first-choice program.

Question 10

How long does nursing school take in Mississippi?

Accepted Answer

Timing depends on the program type. Practical nurse (LPN) diploma programs run 12 to 18 months. Associate degree (ADN) programs at community colleges run two years. Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at four-year universities take four years. Accelerated BSN options for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field can finish in 12 to 16 months. RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN bridge programs for working nurses typically take 12 to 24 months of part-time study.


Alcorn State University	Alcorn State, MS	$8,785	Public	57%
Belhaven University	Jackson, MS	$30,250	Private non-profit	49%
Coahoma Community College	Clarksdale, MS	$3,490	Public	41%
Copiah-Lincoln Community College	Wesson, MS	$4,000	Public	50%
Delta State University	Cleveland, MS	$8,605	Public	48%
East Central Community College	Decatur, MS	$4,160	Public	36%
East Mississippi Community College	Scooba, MS	$4,095	Public	48%
Hinds Community College	Raymond, MS	$4,250	Public	43%
Holmes Community College	Goodman, MS	$3,710	Public	39%
Itawamba Community College	Fulton, MS	$3,420	Public	50%
Jones County Junior College	Ellisville, MS	$4,806	Public	41%
Meridian Community College	Meridian, MS	$4,078	Public	34%
Mississippi Christian University	Clinton, MS	$23,500	Private non-profit	59%
Mississippi Delta Community College	Moorhead, MS	$3,540	Public	31%
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College	Perkinston, MS	$4,250	Public	48%
Mississippi University for Women	Columbus, MS	$8,492	Public	47%
Northeast Mississippi Community College	Booneville, MS	$4,470	Public	34%
Northwest Mississippi Community College	Senatobia, MS	$3,740	Public	45%
Pearl River Community College	Poplarville, MS	$3,700	Public	37%
Southwest Mississippi Community College	Summit, MS	$4,080	Public	56%
University of Mississippi	University, MS	$9,772	Public	72%
University of Southern Mississippi	Hattiesburg, MS	$9,998	Public	49%
William Carey University	Hattiesburg, MS	$15,480	Private non-profit	60%

Nursing Programs in Mississippi

All accredited programs in Mississippi

Top-completion nursing programs in Mississippi

University of Mississippi

William Carey University

Mississippi Christian University

Alcorn State University

Southwest Mississippi Community College

Becoming an RN in Mississippi

Paying for nursing school in Mississippi

Prefer to start online this month? Mississippi residents qualify for these programs.

Questions about nursing school in Mississippi

Compare programs in nearby states

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