Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi 2025
Mississippi State University
35 software engineering graduates annually, 92% graduation rate
Belhaven University
9 software engineering graduates annually, 95% graduation rate
Jackson State University
22 software engineering graduates annually, 100% graduation rate
- 1.Mississippi offers 19+ accredited software engineering programs across public and private universities
- 2.Mississippi State University leads with 92% 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)
Software Engineering Education in Mississippi: Overview
Mississippi offers 19 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 189 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 software engineering programs in the state are led by Mississippi State University, Belhaven University, Jackson State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Mississippi Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | Public | $9,665 | 92% | 59.8 |
| 2 | Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | Private | $28,800 | 95% | 54.9 |
| 3 | Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | Public | $8,520 | 100% | 54.4 |
| 4 | Mississippi College | Clinton, MS | Private | $20,246 | 84% | 53.6 |
| 5 | Jones County Junior College | Ellisville, MS | Public | $3,750 | — | 44.3 |
| 6 | Rust College | Holly Springs, MS | Private | $11,385 | — | 42.9 |
| 7 | Tougaloo College | Tougaloo, MS | Private | $10,258 | — | 40.2 |
| 8 | University of Mississippi | University, MS | Public | $9,252 | 70% | 36.3 |
| 9 | Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | Public | $3,100 | — | 35.9 |
| 10 | Hinds Community College | Raymond, MS | Public | $3,550 | — | 31.8 |
| 11 | Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville, MS | Public | $3,650 | — | 31.8 |
| 12 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS | Public | $3,400 | — | 31.8 |
| 13 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | Public | $9,508 | — | 31.8 |
| 14 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 30.6 |
| 15 | East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 30.6 |
| 16 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston, MS | Public | $3,300 | — | 30.2 |
| 17 | Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | Public | $2,700 | — | 27.9 |
| 18 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | Public | $3,450 | — | 27.9 |
| 19 | Meridian Community College | Meridian, MS | Public | $3,658 | — | 26.1 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi: Side-by-Side
| School | Mississippi State | Belhaven | Jackson State | Mississippi College | Jones County Junior College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $9,665 | $28,800 | $8,520 | $20,246 | $3,750 |
| Graduation Rate | 92% | 95% | 100% | 84% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 35 | 9 | 22 | 10 | 9 |
| Acceptance Rate | 76% | 53% | 91% | 49% | N/A |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Private | Public |
| Score | 59.8/100 | 54.9/100 | 54.4/100 | 53.6/100 | 44.3/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Mississippi
Mississippi offers 8 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Mississippi State University, Belhaven University, Jackson State University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $57,715 in the Mississippi market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Mississippi State | $9,665 | 92% | 35 | 59.8 |
| #2 Belhaven | $28,800 | 95% | 9 | 54.9 |
| #3 Jackson State | $8,520 | 100% | 22 | 54.4 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Mississippi
For graduate study, Mississippi offers 1 master's-level software engineering 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 software engineering master's programs for more options beyond Mississippi.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Mississippi
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Mississippi College | $20,246 | 84% | 1 | 46.1 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Mississippi
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in Mississippi are at Holmes Community College ($2,700/year), Itawamba Community College ($3,100/year), Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ($3,300/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Mississippi's competitive tech salaries.
At Holmes Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,800 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $57,715, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.5 years. See our Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Holmes Community College | $2,700 | $10,800 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #2 Itawamba Community College | $3,100 | $12,400 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #3 Mississippi Gulf Coast... | $3,300 | $13,200 | 0.6 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Software Engineering Schools in Mississippi
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering 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.
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $9,665 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 92% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 35 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 76%
- • Ranking Score: 59.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 92% graduation rate
- 35 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 59.8 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (92%), program size (35 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (76% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Belhaven University
Jackson, MS • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $28,800 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 54.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 9 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 54.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 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.
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,520 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 22 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 91%
- • Ranking Score: 54.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 22 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 54.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (100%), program size (22 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (91% 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 10 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 49%
- • Ranking Score: 53.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 84% graduation rate
- 10 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 53.6 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 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.
Jones County Junior College
Ellisville, MS • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $3,750 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 44.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 9 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 44.3 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($82,450), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Mississippi with strong job growth.
Software Engineering 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 19)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Software Engineering in Mississippi FAQ
Based on 19 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering 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.