Mississippi university campus representing artificial intelligence education
Updated December 2025

Best Artificial Intelligence Programs in Mississippi: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 9 top accredited artificial intelligence programs in Mississippi. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg.

Programs Ranked9
Median Salary$82,450
Cost of Living83.3%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Programs in Mississippi 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Belhaven University

Jackson, MSPrivate

9 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 95% graduation rate

$29K
Tuition/yr
95%
Grad Rate
54.9
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

Mississippi College

Clinton, MSPrivate

10 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 84% graduation rate

$20K
Tuition/yr
84%
Grad Rate
53.6
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Jackson State University

Jackson, MSPublic

2 artificial intelligence graduates annually, 100% graduation rate

$9K
Tuition/yr
100%
Grad Rate
43.0
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.Mississippi offers 9+ accredited artificial intelligence programs across public and private universities
  • 2.Belhaven University leads with 95% graduation rate
  • 3.Mississippi software developers earn median $82,450 annually (BLS OES 2024)
  • 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg
  • 5.Cost of living index: 83.3% of US average (below average)

Artificial Intelligence Education in Mississippi: Overview

Mississippi offers 9 accredited artificial intelligence programs, producing approximately 61 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, with major employers including C Spire, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin.

With a median software developer salary of $82,450 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 83.3% compared to the US average, Mississippi offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.

The top artificial intelligence programs in the state are led by Belhaven University, Mississippi College, Jackson State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Belhaven UniversityJackson, MSPrivate$28,80095%54.9
2Mississippi CollegeClinton, MSPrivate$20,24684%53.6
3Jackson State UniversityJackson, MSPublic$8,520100%43
4Rust CollegeHolly Springs, MSPrivate$11,385โ€”42.9
5Tougaloo CollegeTougaloo, MSPrivate$10,258โ€”40.2
6Itawamba Community CollegeFulton, MSPublic$3,100โ€”32.2
7Northwest Mississippi Community CollegeSenatobia, MSPublic$3,400โ€”31.4
8Copiah-Lincoln Community CollegeWesson, MSPublic$3,500โ€”30.6
9Mississippi Delta Community CollegeMoorhead, MSPublic$3,450โ€”27.9

Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Programs in Mississippi: Side-by-Side

SchoolBelhavenMississippi CollegeJackson StateRust CollegeTougaloo College
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$28,800
$20,246
$8,520
$11,385
$10,258
Graduation Rate
95%
84%
100%
N/A%
N/A%
Annual Graduates
9
10
2
3
4
Acceptance Rate
53%
49%
91%
35%
53%
Type
Private
Private
Public
Private
Private
Score
54.9/100
53.6/100
43.0/100
42.9/100
40.2/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Artificial Intelligence in Mississippi

Mississippi offers 4 bachelor's-level artificial intelligence programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Belhaven University, Mississippi College, Rust College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $57,715 in the Mississippi market.

A bachelor's in artificial intelligence typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Belhaven
$28,800
95%
9
54.9
#2 Mississippi College
$20,246
84%
10
53.6
#3 Rust College
$11,385
N/A%
3
42.9

Top Artificial Intelligence Schools for Master's Degrees in Mississippi

For graduate study, Mississippi offers 1 master's-level artificial intelligence programs. Leading institutions include Mississippi College. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Mississippi reaching $107,185 or more.

Explore our complete national rankings of the best artificial intelligence master's programs for more options beyond Mississippi.

Top 3 Artificial Intelligence Master's Programs in Mississippi

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Mississippi College
$20,246
84%
1
46.1

Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Colleges in Mississippi

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable artificial intelligence programs in Mississippi are at Itawamba Community College ($3,100/year), Northwest Mississippi Community College ($3,400/year), Mississippi Delta Community College ($3,450/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Mississippi's competitive tech salaries.

At Itawamba Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $12,400 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $57,715, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.5 years. See our Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Artificial Intelligence Programs in Mississippi (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 Itawamba Community College
$3,100
$12,400
0.5 years
Public
#2 Northwest Mississippi...
$3,400
$13,600
0.6 years
Public
#3 Mississippi Delta...
$3,450
$13,800
0.6 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Artificial Intelligence Schools in Mississippi

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 artificial intelligence programs in Mississippi, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.

#1

Belhaven University

Jackson, MS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $28,800 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 9 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 54.9 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 95% graduation rate
  • 9 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 54.9 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (53% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#2

Mississippi College

Clinton, MS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $20,246 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 84% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 10 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 49%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 53.6 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 84% graduation rate
  • 10 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 53.6 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (84%), program size (10 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (49% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

Jackson State University

Jackson, MS โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $8,520 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 2 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 43.0 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 100% graduation rate
  • 2 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 43.0 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (100%), program size (2 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (91% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#4

Rust College

Holly Springs, MS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $11,385 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 3 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 35%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 42.9 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 3 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 42.9 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (35% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#5

Tougaloo College

Tougaloo, MS โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus
Visit Program

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $10,258 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Artificial Intelligence Graduates: 4 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 40.2 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 4 artificial intelligence graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 40.2 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (53% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

Why Choose This Program

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers comprehensive programs designed to serve diverse academic and professional goals, preparing students for careers in mathematics, computer science, data science, cybersecurity, and related fields. The department provides training in fundamental concepts including algorithmic thinking, computational methods, data analysis, and cybersecurity principles with application to real-world problems.

$57,715
Starting Salary
$82,450
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
73
Annual Openings

Career Paths

Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$74,284
+23%

AI Research Scientist opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$81,927

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051
+35%

Data Scientist opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$87,551

NLP Engineer

SOC 15-2051
+23%

NLP Engineer opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$81,297

Computer Vision Engineer opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$76,122

Artificial Intelligence Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Mississippi if...
  • You want access to tech jobs in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg
  • You're seeking lower cost of living (83.3% of US average)
  • You want to work at companies like C Spire or Raytheon
  • You prefer Mississippi's quality of life
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Mississippi's 9)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Artificial Intelligence in Mississippi FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 9 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Artificial Intelligence degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

Mississippi-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024

Related Resources

Data Sources & Methodology

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Mississippi salary data

2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

Taylor Rupe

Taylor Rupe

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