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Key Takeaways
Best software engineering degree programs: Mississippi State, Jackson State, Belhaven
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
Software Engineering degree programs available: 12 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
12 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
Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering programs
We rank 22 accredited software engineering 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 Software Engineering Degree Programs in Mississippi Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Software Engineering Degree Rankings in Mississippi
Compare the top-ranked Software Engineering programs in Mississippi by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi
Program Landscape
Mississippi offers 12 accredited associate's degree programs in software engineering, 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 $3,985/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 software engineering schools in Mississippi, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their software engineering degrees in Mississippi.
Show all 12 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 43.0 |
| #7 | East Mississippi Community College | Scooba, MS | Public | $3,500 | — | 43.0 |
| #8 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston, MS | Public | $3,300 | — | 42.0 |
| #9 | Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | Public | $2,700 | — | 37.5 |
| #10 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | Public | $3,450 | — | 37.5 |
| #11 | Meridian Community College | Meridian, MS | Public | $3,658 | — | 33.8 |
| #12 | Tougaloo College | Tougaloo, MS | Private | $10,258 | — | 45.0 |
Best Bachelor's Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi
Program Landscape
Mississippi ranks among the nation's top destinations for software engineering education, with 8 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 4 public and 4 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are Mississippi State, Jackson State, Belhaven, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Mississippi software engineering 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 $8,520 to $28,800 annually, with an average of $13,454/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 88%, with the highest reaching 100%. 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 software engineering degrees in Mississippi, these top-ranked software engineering schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Mississippi State University
Show all 8 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Tougaloo College | Tougaloo, MS | Private | $10,258 | — | 43.5 |
| #7 | University of Mississippi | University, MS | Public | $9,252 | 70% | 41.1 |
| #8 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | Public | $9,508 | — | 37.2 |
Best Master's Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi
Program Landscape
Mississippi offers 1 master's degree programs in software engineering, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, Mississippi College, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Mississippi earn a median salary of $82,450, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with C Spire, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $20,246/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Mississippi's software engineering schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Best Doctoral Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi
Program Landscape
Mississippi is home to 1 doctoral programs in software engineering, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at Jackson State are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Mississippi PhD holders earning a median of $103,063, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like C Spire, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Mississippi programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing software engineering degrees in Mississippi, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
Software Engineering Degree Costs & Tuition in Mississippi
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $7,642/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $19,105/year |
| Community college tuition | $1,911/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $45,852 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $11,462 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Software Engineering Students in Mississippi
State Aid Programs
Mississippi residents pursuing software engineering degrees have access to several financial aid options designed to make higher education affordable. The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant is a merit-based award specifically for high-achieving Mississippi residents, providing additional funding beyond federal aid programs (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning). Additionally, all students can access federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities (Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA process is essential for unlocking both state and federal resources, and students are encouraged to apply early to maximize award amounts.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state and federal grants, many Mississippi institutions offer institutional scholarships and financial aid packages tailored to software engineering students. Public four-year institutions in the state average $8,642 for in-state tuition, making them significantly more affordable than out-of-state options at $13,183 (IPEDS). Community college students benefit from even lower tuition costs, allowing them to complete associate's degrees affordably before transferring to universities through the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool, which streamlines the pathway to bachelor's degrees (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning). Students should explore institutional aid packages at schools like Mississippi State University and Jackson State University, which offer competitive tuition rates alongside financial assistance programs.
Software Engineering Degree ROI Calculator, Mississippi
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a software engineering 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.
Software Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a software engineering 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
Software Engineering 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 Software Engineering Graduates in Mississippi
Find software engineering jobs in Mississippi. These major employers across Mississippi metro areas are actively hiring software engineering degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Software Engineering Jobs in Jackson
MSSoftware Engineering Jobs in Gulfport
MSTransfer Pathways for Software Engineering Degrees in Mississippi
State Transfer System
Mississippi provides a structured transfer system designed to help community college students seamlessly transition to bachelor's degree programs. The Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool facilitates this process by establishing guaranteed pathways, course equivalencies, and articulation agreements between the state's 17 two-year institutions and 19 four-year institutions (Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool). Students completing an associate's degree in Software Engineering at institutions like Itawamba Community College (25 completions annually, $3,100 tuition) or Hinds Community College (11 completions annually, $3,550 tuition) can transfer with junior standing to Mississippi State University, Jackson State University, or other bachelor's programs, avoiding duplication of coursework and maximizing financial efficiency.
How Transfers Work
This transfer infrastructure is particularly valuable for cost-conscious students. By starting at a community college with average tuition of approximately $3,300, students save significant funds before entering a four-year institution where average in-state tuition is $8,642 (College Scorecard). The state's articulation agreements ensure that credits earned in foundational programming, mathematics, and general education courses transfer directly, maintaining progress toward degree completion. Additionally, Mississippi residents may qualify for the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, a merit-based state financial aid program that rewards high-achieving students (Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant). For specific transfer requirements, consult the Mississippi Articulation and Transfer Tool and coordinate with your community college's transfer advisor. Students interested in online options should explore online bachelor's programs to balance flexibility with transfer credits.
Why Pursue a Software Engineering Degree in Mississippi?
Industry & Workforce
Mississippi offers a strong landscape for software engineering education with 23 institutions delivering programs across all degree levels (IPEDS). The state's 9 bachelor's programs and 12 associate's programs provide flexible pathways for students at different educational stages, with 91 bachelor's completions and 101 associate's completions annually. Mississippi State University leads the state with 35 completions, while Itawamba Community College contributes 25 completions at the associate level, demonstrating strong workforce development across the state (IPEDS).
Salary Outlook
The affordability advantage is significant. Public four-year institutions charge an average in-state tuition of $8,642, substantially lower than the national average, while top-ranked programs like Jackson State University cost just $8,520 with a remarkable 99.70% graduation rate (College Scorecard). Mississippi's major employment hubs. Jackson, Gulfport-Biloxi, and Hattiesburg, host major employers including Walmart, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Nissan, creating direct career pathways for graduates. Students exploring related fields can also investigate Computer Science in Mississippi and Web Development in Mississippi for complementary specializations. Compare your options across state lines by reviewing Software Engineering in Texas and Software Engineering in California to understand how Mississippi's programs rank nationally on the best bachelor's programs list.
Software Engineering Program Availability in Mississippi
Source: IPEDS 2024
Software Engineering Job Market & Salary Data in Mississippi
Employment Outlook
Mississippi's software engineering job market is supported by a strong educational pipeline, with 23 institutions offering software engineering programs across the state (IPEDS). The state produced 91 bachelor's degree completions and 101 associate's degree completions in software engineering during 2023, creating a steady stream of qualified professionals entering the workforce. These graduates are positioned to meet demand across Mississippi's major metro areas, including Jackson, Gulfport-Biloxi, and Hattiesburg, where technology sectors continue to expand. For current salary data and employment trends specific to Mississippi, the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed occupational employment statistics and wage information for software developers and engineers.
Salaries by Metro
The state's affordability makes software engineering education accessible, with average public in-state tuition at four-year institutions at $8,642 annually. This competitive cost structure, combined with merit-based financial aid through the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, helps attract and retain talent within the state. Top employers actively recruit from Mississippi institutions, creating strong pathways from graduation to employment. Students exploring the broader technology sector may also consider related fields through programs in Computer Science in Mississippi, Web Development in Mississippi, and Computer Programming in Mississippi.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Software Engineering Programs in Mississippi
Online Programs
0 available in Mississippi
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Software Engineering Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 28
- Median Tuition
- $5,800
- Total Programs
- 16
- Median Tuition
- $7,400
- Total Programs
- 38
- Median Tuition
- $13,900
- Total Programs
- 16
- Median Tuition
- $10,700
- Total Programs
- 200
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 52
- Median Tuition
- $5,100
- Total Programs
- 90
- Median Tuition
- $7,600
- Total Programs
- 119
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
Software Engineering Degree Programs in Mississippi: FAQ
What are the best software engineering degree programs in Mississippi?
How much do software engineering degree programs cost in Mississippi?
What salary can software engineering degree graduates earn in Mississippi?
Are there online software engineering degree programs in Mississippi?
What companies hire software engineering degree graduates in Mississippi?
Is a software engineering degree program worth it in Mississippi?
How long do software engineering degree programs take in Mississippi?
What financial aid is available for software engineering 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.