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Key Takeaways
Best computer programming degree programs: Mississippi College, Belhaven, Rust College
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $2,700 to $28,800/year
Itawamba Community College offers the most affordable option at $3,100/yr
Computer Programming degree programs available: 13 associate's, 1 master's, 1 doctoral in Mississippi
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
Mississippi community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
13 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: C Spire, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman
Tech hubs in Jackson and Gulfport
Hakia Research 2026
Computer Programming degree programs near 43+ cities across Mississippi
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Mississippi Computer Programming programs
We rank 19 accredited computer programming programs in Mississippi using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Computer Programming Degree Programs in Mississippi Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Computer Programming Degree Rankings in Mississippi
Compare the top-ranked Computer Programming programs in Mississippi by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Computer Programming Programs in Mississippi
Program Landscape
Mississippi offers 13 accredited associate's degree programs in computer programming, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Itawamba Community College, Northwest Mississippi Com..., Hinds Community College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Mississippi offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $3,940/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $45,348 in Mississippi.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Mississippi's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like C Spire, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among computer programming schools in Mississippi, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their computer programming degrees in Mississippi.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Show all 6 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville, MS | Public | $3,650 | 34% | 69.2 |
Best Bachelor's Computer Programming Programs in Mississippi
Program Landscape
Mississippi ranks among the nation's top destinations for computer programming education, with 4 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 0 public and 4 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Mississippi College, Belhaven, Rust College, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Mississippi computer programming programs earn a median salary of $70,083, 29% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including C Spire, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $10,258 to $28,800 annually, with an average of $17,672/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 90%, with the highest reaching 95%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Mississippi's leading technology employers. For students seeking computer programming degrees in Mississippi, these top-ranked computer programming schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Blue Mountain Christian University
Computer Programming Degree Costs & Tuition in Mississippi
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $7,069/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $17,673/year |
| Community college tuition | $1,767/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $42,416 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $10,604 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Computer Programming Students in Mississippi
State Aid Programs
Mississippi residents pursuing computer programming degrees have access to several financial aid options designed to make education affordable. The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant provides merit-based awards for high-achieving Mississippi residents, supporting talented students across the state's institutions (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning). Additionally, the federal government offers grants, loans, and work-study opportunities through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available at StudentAid.gov. All students should complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for federal Pell Grants, Federal Stafford Loans, and other need-based aid.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state and federal programs, individual institutions offering computer programming degrees often provide institutional scholarships and assistantships. Many of Mississippi's 20 institutions offering computer programming programs (IPEDS) award need-based and merit-based scholarships to qualified applicants. Students should contact financial aid offices at their chosen schools, whether attending one of the 13 associate's programs or 5 bachelor's programs, to learn about school-specific awards. The College Scorecard provides transparency on average aid packages and net price by institution, helping families estimate true out-of-pocket costs before enrolling.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator, Mississippi
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a computer programming degree in Mississippi. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Computer Programming Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a computer programming degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Computer Programming Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Mississippi metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $91K |
| Gulfport | $87K |
| Hattiesburg | $82K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Computer Programming Graduates in Mississippi
Find computer programming jobs in Mississippi. These major employers across Mississippi metro areas are actively hiring computer programming degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Computer Programming Jobs in Jackson
MSComputer Programming Jobs in Gulfport
MSTransfer Pathways for Computer Programming Degrees in Mississippi
State Transfer System
Mississippi's transfer ecosystem is designed to help smooth progression from community colleges to four-year universities. The Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool (Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool) provides transparent pathways for students pursuing computer programming degrees, ensuring that credits earned at one of Mississippi's 17 two-year institutions transfer seamlessly to the state's 19 four-year universities. This system is particularly valuable for students starting at affordable community colleges, where tuition begins at $2,700 annually, and transferring after completing general education and foundational programming coursework. Top transfer feeders include Itawamba Community College (21 completions), Northwest Mississippi Community College (17 completions), and Hinds Community College (16 completions).
How Transfers Work
Articulation agreements between community colleges and bachelor's-granting universities ensure that coursework in programming, data structures, and mathematics applies directly toward four-year degree requirements, minimizing lost credits and reducing overall time-to-degree. Students can complete most of an associate's degree at institutions like East Mississippi Community College ($3,500 tuition) or Holmes Community College ($2,700 tuition) before transferring to programs at Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, or the University of Mississippi. This pathway is particularly cost-effective for in-state students, combining low community college costs with affordable university tuition averaging $8,642 for four-year public institutions. Prospective transfer students should also explore related degree options through Web Development in Mississippi and Computer Science in Mississippi to identify complementary transfer-friendly programs.
Why Pursue a Computer Programming Degree in Mississippi?
Industry & Workforce
Mississippi offers a strong network of computer programming education across 20 institutions, including 5 bachelor's-granting universities and 17 two-year colleges (IPEDS). The state's higher education system produces 120 associate's degree completions annually, making community colleges a particularly strong entry point for aspiring programmers. Top institutions like Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, and the University of Mississippi consistently rank among the national best bachelors programs, providing students with quality education at competitive costs.
Salary Outlook
The cost of studying computer programming in Mississippi is significantly lower than national averages. Public four-year institutions charge an average of $8,642 for in-state tuition, with out-of-state students paying $13,183 (College Scorecard). Community colleges offer even greater affordability, with tuition starting as low as $2,700 annually. Mississippi's major employers, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Walmart, and Nissan, actively recruit graduates from the state's programming programs, creating strong job placement opportunities in cities like Jackson, Gulfport, and Southaven.
Regional Tech Hubs
The state's commitment to higher education excellence is reinforced through merit-based funding like the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, available to high-achieving residents (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning). Students interested in related technical fields can explore Software Engineering in Mississippi or Web Development in Mississippi to expand career options.
Computer Programming Program Availability in Mississippi
Source: IPEDS 2024
Computer Programming Job Market & Salary Data in Mississippi
Employment Outlook
Mississippi's computer programming job market is supported by a growing network of educational institutions and regional employers across the state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state maintains a competitive landscape for programming professionals. The market is concentrated in major metropolitan areas including Jackson, Gulfport-Biloxi, and Hattiesburg, where demand for skilled developers continues to expand. With 20 institutions offering computer programming degrees across associate's, bachelor's, and advanced levels, Mississippi provides strong pathways for aspiring programmers to enter the workforce.
Salaries by Metro
The state's job market benefits from significant employer diversity and geographic distribution. Major hiring centers are located in the Capital District, Gulf Coast, and North Mississippi regions, creating opportunities across multiple sectors. For detailed salary and employment outlook information specific to Mississippi, the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics provides comprehensive data on programmer compensation and job growth. Students completing programs at Mississippi's institutions, which produced 120 associate's degree completions and 25 bachelor's degree completions in 2023, enter a market with multiple pathways. Explore related opportunities in Software Engineering in Mississippi and Web Development in Mississippi to understand the broader tech employment landscape, or compare opportunities nationally by reviewing best bachelor's programs.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Computer Programming Programs in Mississippi
Online Programs
0 available in Mississippi
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Computer Programming Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 28
- Median Tuition
- $5,800
- Total Programs
- 16
- Median Tuition
- $7,400
- Total Programs
- 37
- Median Tuition
- $16,500
- Total Programs
- 9
- Median Tuition
- $10,700
- Total Programs
- 193
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 51
- Median Tuition
- $4,600
- Total Programs
- 75
- Median Tuition
- $6,800
- Total Programs
- 111
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
Computer Programming Degree Programs in Mississippi: FAQ
What are the best computer programming degree programs in Mississippi?
How much do computer programming degree programs cost in Mississippi?
What salary can computer programming degree graduates earn in Mississippi?
Are there online computer programming degree programs in Mississippi?
What companies hire computer programming degree graduates in Mississippi?
Is a computer programming degree program worth it in Mississippi?
How long do computer programming degree programs take in Mississippi?
What financial aid is available for computer programming degree students in Mississippi?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Mississippi salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.