Top 3 Data Science Programs in Mississippi 2025
Belhaven University
9 data science graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
Mississippi College
10 data science graduates annually, 84% graduation rate
Mississippi State University
3 data science graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
- 1.Mississippi offers 11+ accredited data science 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)
Data Science Education in Mississippi: Overview
Mississippi offers 11 accredited data science programs, producing approximately 66 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 data science programs in the state are led by Belhaven University, Mississippi College, Mississippi State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Mississippi Data Science Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | Private | $28,800 | 95% | 54.9 |
| 2 | Mississippi College | Clinton, MS | Private | $20,246 | 84% | 53.6 |
| 3 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | Public | $9,665 | 92% | 45.1 |
| 4 | Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | Public | $8,520 | 100% | 43 |
| 5 | Rust College | Holly Springs, MS | Private | $11,385 | — | 42.9 |
| 6 | Tougaloo College | Tougaloo, MS | Private | $10,258 | — | 40.2 |
| 7 | Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | Public | $3,100 | — | 32.2 |
| 8 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS | Public | $3,400 | — | 31.4 |
| 9 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 30.6 |
| 10 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | Public | $3,450 | — | 27.9 |
| 11 | East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 27.1 |
Top 5 Data Science Programs in Mississippi: Side-by-Side
| School | Belhaven | Mississippi College | Mississippi State | Jackson State | Rust College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $28,800 | $20,246 | $9,665 | $8,520 | $11,385 |
| Graduation Rate | 95% | 84% | 92% | 100% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 9 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Acceptance Rate | 53% | 49% | 76% | 91% | 35% |
| Type | Private | Private | Public | Public | Private |
| Score | 54.9/100 | 53.6/100 | 45.1/100 | 43.0/100 | 42.9/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in Mississippi
Mississippi offers 4 bachelor's-level data science 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 data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #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 Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in Mississippi
For graduate study, Mississippi offers 2 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include Mississippi College, 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 data science master's programs for more options beyond Mississippi.
Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in Mississippi
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Mississippi College | $20,246 | 84% | 1 | 46.1 |
| #2 Mississippi State | $9,665 | 92% | 3 | 45.1 |
Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in Mississippi
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science 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 Data Science Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Data Science Programs in Mississippi (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #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 Data Science Schools in Mississippi
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 data science 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.
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $28,800 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 54.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 9 data science 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.
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $20,246 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 84% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 10 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 49%
- • Ranking Score: 53.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 84% graduation rate
- 10 data science 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.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,665 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 3 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 45.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 3 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 45.1 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (3 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (76% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,520 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 2 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 91%
- • Ranking Score: 43.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 2 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 43.0 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 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.
Rust College
Holly Springs, MS • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $11,385 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 3 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 35%
- • Ranking Score: 42.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 3 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 42.9 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 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.
Career Paths
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Quantitative Analyst
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Data Science 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 11)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Data Science in Mississippi FAQ
Based on 11 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Science 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.