Best Nursing Schools in Mississippi for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Mississippi

As the birthplace of American blues, Mississippi offers southern charm and unique landscapes. Whether you want to live in the heart of farmland or on the Gulf Shores, there are many inviting locations in this state. It has even ranked number 22 on U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States ranking for Natural Environments. Another enticing feature of Mississippi is its impressive schools, especially for nursing students.

When seeking opportunities for professional development, the schools in Mississippi offer many nursing programs for those interested in a healthcare career. Universities in this state offer a variety of online courses, bridge programs, and accelerated learning. With how affordable the cost of living is, and the impressive scenery, it’s no wonder many stay in Mississippi after graduating to enjoy the competitive salary ranges and benefits. 

In this blog, you’re going to read over the top nursing schools in Mississippi, and everything you should know before pursuing your nursing education in this state.

Mississippi’s top nursing programs:

1. Mississippi University for Women
2. University of Mississippi
3. University of Southern Mississippi
4. Delta State University
5. Mississippi College
6. William Carey University

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1. Mississippi University for Women – Score 78.33

NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%

Annual tuition: $7,766

The Mississippi University for Women (The W), located in Columbus, was chartered in 1884, and it was the first state-supported college for women in the country. Since 1982, it has been admitting men and is focused on providing a high quality liberal arts education for its students. 

The W’s nursing school is nationally accredited, with high employment rates for their students upon graduation. Their facilities include nursing resource centers, skills and simulation labs, and centers dedicated to nursing concentrations, such as speech and hearing. The graduation rate is 62%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• MSN 
• DNP
• Post Graduate Certificate

2. University of Mississippi – Score 68.33

NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.08%

In-State tuition: $9,072

Out-of-State tuition: $26,292

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is in Oxford, MS. This college was chartered in 1844 and opened its door 4 years later to students. For 23 years, it was Mississippi’s only public institution of higher learning and for 110 years, the state’s only comprehensive university. 

Their School of Nursing was founded in 1948, and their campus now houses 4 specialized hospitals, including the state’s only children’s hospital. Their nursing program offers early-entry points, online classes, bridge pathways, and post-master’s certifications. The graduation rate is 63%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• PhD
• DNP
• RN to BSN
• RN to MSN
• Accelerated BSN

3. University of Southern Mississippi – Score 56.67

NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.35%

In-State tuition: $9,094

Out-of-State tuition: $11,094

The University of Southern Mississippi, or Southern Miss, is located in Hattiesburg. It was founded in 1910 and has over 100 years of rich history. This college is one of only 146 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation. 

Southern Miss’s nursing school offers early admission for select freshmen, as well as simulation labs and clinicals for all nursing students. They also have a nearly 100% graduate employment rate. Their overall graduation rate is 50%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• DNP
• MSN

4. Delta State University – Score 53.33

NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.43%

Annual tuition: $8,435

Delta State University (DSU) is in Cleveland, MS and began in 1925 as Delta State Teachers College. Over the years, DSU has transformed from just a teacher’s college and now consists of 64 buildings and is situated on 330 acres. 

Their Robert E. Smith School of Nursing offers online courses, flexible and part-time schedules, and non-traditional clinical options. This university was rated the number 1 RN to BSN online program and the number 2 most affordable master’s degree in nursing online. The graduation rate is 41%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• DNP

5. Mississippi College – Score 46.67

NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.67%

Annual tuition: $19,656

Mississippi College in Clinton, MS is a private, co-educational Christian university, with beginnings dating back to 1826. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state. 

Their school of nursing offers online courses, and has been ranked number 1 in Best Registered Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Mississippi and Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Mississippi. After earning their degrees, 95-100% of graduates are employed full-time in nursing within one year. The graduation rate is 52%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• ABSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN

6. William Carey University – Score 46.67

NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%

Annual tuition: $14,400

William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS first opened in 1892 as Pearl River Boarding School. For decades, it initially operated as Mississippi Woman’s College but was renamed in honor in 1954 when the school became coeducational. Throughout the years, it has grown into 3 campuses on over 170 acres, with many degrees and programs for its students. 

The Carey School of Nursing includes full-time and part-time plans of study, along with online courses and advanced placements. Their overall graduation rate is 47%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• PhD

How to choose the right nursing program

Before deciding on one of the above schools, you have to take into account your own personal goals and aspirations in nursing. Finding the right university involves considering the location, tuition costs, exam pass rates, programs offered, and their graduation rates. With so many nursing degree options, choosing the right path involves doing your research.

Location

Though Mississippi isn’t one of the larger states in the country, having the right commute time to and from your university is crucial. Nursing students especially will need to take into account clinicals, labs, and other off-campus degree requirements. Perhaps taking some online courses can help reduce travel time with your busy schedule, so consider all your options before choosing a school.

Tuition

College tuition can be pricey, and as a student, you’ll need to think of every cost ahead of time. For Mississippi residents, staying in-state to earn their degree can save quite a lot, along with scholarships and grants. Using FAFSA for your student loans can be helpful, and upon graduation, you may even be eligible for student loan forgiveness as a nursing graduate.

NCLEX pass rate

Passing your NCLEX is a must when you want to become a licensed nurse. Checking out a college’s NCLEX pass rate ahead of time will help gauge how they set their students up for success. Universities with high pass rates have a proven record of quality education, as well as additional preparation and tutoring so that nursing students become qualified healthcare professionals once they’ve graduated.

Programs offered

Though you may be eager to choose a school and get started on your nursing journey, it’s important that you choose a school that can offer you the right programs for your degree. Thoroughly look through each university’s curriculum and program. If you’re transferring from another school or looking for an advanced degree, ensure your credits will carry over so that you can graduate within the right amount of time.

Graduation rate 

A school’s graduate rate is the percentage of its students who graduate within 4-6 years. When these rates are high, they demonstrate a care for students in the coursework, programs offered, and student guidance. Finding a top nursing school in Mississippi involves checking these statistics to help set you up for a successful career in nursing after graduation.

Next steps

Decide which elements mean the most to you, when pursuing your education. Is it location? Cost? Extracurriculars? No matter the reason, considering the schools listed above for Mississippi is a great place to start, since these institutions value nursing programs and degrees.

Once you’ve graduated, you want to think of your next steps. Finding a job with your new degree is key, and Incredible Health has helpful resources to get your nursing career kickstarted. Do you have the right licensing and certifications for Mississippi? This is important to know, especially if you’re coming from out-of-state. 

After graduation, continue your learning and skill-building with Mississippi’s free CEU courses. These courses will help to provide you with the right certifications and tools to succeed in nursing.

You can also turn to other healthcare professionals for advice, helpful tips, and other answers about nursing in Mississippi.

Once you start looking for a job, come to us here at Incredible Health. We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!

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Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from:

• University webpages
• (State) Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings