Top 3 Cybersecurity Programs in Mississippi 2025
Jones County Junior College
13 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Alcorn State University
3 cybersecurity graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Mississippi State University
2 cybersecurity graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
- 1.Mississippi offers 8+ accredited cybersecurity programs across public and private universities
- 2.Jones County Junior College leads with strong% 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)
Cybersecurity Education in Mississippi: Overview
Mississippi offers 8 accredited cybersecurity 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 cybersecurity programs in the state are led by Jones County Junior College, Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Mississippi Cybersecurity Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jones County Junior College | Ellisville, MS | Public | $3,750 | — | 46.4 |
| 2 | Alcorn State University | Alcorn State, MS | Public | $7,869 | — | 44.9 |
| 3 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | Public | $9,665 | 92% | 44 |
| 4 | Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | Public | $3,550 | — | 34.6 |
| 5 | East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 31.4 |
| 6 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 29.1 |
| 7 | East Central Community College | Decatur, MS | Public | $3,560 | — | 29.1 |
| 8 | Meridian Community College | Meridian, MS | Public | $3,658 | — | 27.9 |
Top 5 Cybersecurity Programs in Mississippi: Side-by-Side
| School | Jones County Junior College | Alcorn State | Mississippi State | Hinds Community College | East Mississippi... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $3,750 | $7,869 | $9,665 | $3,550 | $3,500 |
| Graduation Rate | N/A% | N/A% | 92% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 13 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 10 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | 25% | 76% | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Public | Public | Public | Public | Public |
| Score | 46.4/100 | 44.9/100 | 44.0/100 | 34.6/100 | 31.4/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Cybersecurity in Mississippi
Mississippi offers 2 bachelor's-level cybersecurity programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $57,715 in the Mississippi market.
A bachelor's in cybersecurity typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Alcorn State | $7,869 | N/A% | 3 | 44.9 |
| #2 Mississippi State | $9,665 | 92% | 1 | 42.6 |
Top Cybersecurity Schools for Master's Degrees in Mississippi
For graduate study, Mississippi offers 1 master's-level cybersecurity programs. Leading institutions include Mississippi State University. 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 cybersecurity master's programs for more options beyond Mississippi.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Master's Programs in Mississippi
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Mississippi State | $9,665 | 92% | 2 | 44.0 |
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Colleges in Mississippi
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable cybersecurity programs in Mississippi are at East Mississippi Community College ($3,500/year), Copiah-Lincoln Community College ($3,500/year), Hinds Community College ($3,550/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Mississippi's competitive tech salaries.
At East Mississippi Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $14,000 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $57,715, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.6 years. See our Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Cybersecurity Programs in Mississippi (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 East Mississippi... | $3,500 | $14,000 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #2 Copiah-Lincoln Community... | $3,500 | $14,000 | 0.6 years | Public |
| #3 Hinds Community College | $3,550 | $14,200 | 0.6 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Cybersecurity Schools in Mississippi
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 cybersecurity 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.
Jones County Junior College
Ellisville, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,750 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 13 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 46.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 13 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 46.4 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (13 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,869 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 3 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 25%
- • Ranking Score: 44.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 3 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 44.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (25% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,665 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 2 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 44.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 2 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 44.0 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (2 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (76% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Hinds Community College
Raymond, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,550 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 20 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 34.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 20 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 34.6 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (20 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
East Mississippi Community College
Scooba, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,500 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Cybersecurity Graduates: 10 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 31.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 10 cybersecurity graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 31.4 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (10 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Security Analyst opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Penetration Tester
SOC 15-1212Penetration Tester opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Security Engineer
SOC 15-1212Security Engineer opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Incident Responder
SOC 15-1212Incident Responder opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Cybersecurity Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- 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
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Mississippi's 8)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Cybersecurity in Mississippi FAQ
Based on 8 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Cybersecurity degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
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
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.