2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Mississippi
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Mississippi
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Hinds Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,603 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $20,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coahoma Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,490. Students borrow a median of $6,601 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Coahoma Community College generally make around $20,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Delta Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,965. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Mississippi Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,080, with out-of-state students paying around $6,780. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $50,292 early in their careers. Set against $21,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #5. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $19,091. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Pearl River Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Poplarville, Pearl River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,700, compared with $6,100 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,354. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Decatur, East Central Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,090. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,646. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from East Central Community College generally make around $17,810. That is a strong return on a $5,646 median debt.
Holmes Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,789. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,496. Set against $11,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Meridian Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Meridian, Meridian Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,078, with out-of-state students paying around $6,478. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $4,989. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Meridian Community College generally make around $24,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Students borrow a median of $6,885 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,885 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $21,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jones County Junior College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Ellisville, Jones County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Mississippi Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Booneville, Northeast Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $7,750. Students borrow a median of $7,011 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northeast Mississippi Community College earn a median of $21,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,450. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $37,174. Set against $25,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Valley State University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Itta Bena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,692. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,919 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Delta State University earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $41,580. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi University For Women earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,673 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $28,438. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $37,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,438 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Alcorn State University placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,785. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $39,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,269. That is a strong return on a $39,250 median debt. Alcorn State University admits about 45% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $28,435 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $36,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,435 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
William Carey University earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
Jackson State University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,965, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $48,911. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $41,812. That is a strong return on a $48,911 median debt. Jackson State University admits about 93% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
