Mississippi Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
The following guide will provide you with key information on the many nursing programs, including profiles of specific programs, offered in Mississippi. The colleges and universities in Mississippi make it easy for future nurses to concentrate in their particular area of interest with specialties in psychiatric mental health, adult gerontology, nurse educator, adult gerontology acute care, and nursing and health care administrator. In addition to traditional nursing programs, many schools feature either partially- or fully-online bachelor’s and master’s in nursing degree programs, providing convenience and flexibility for students.
Quick Facts
- 23 schools with nursing programs in Mississippi are in our database (see below).
- 17 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 8 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 6 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- 1 school ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs Mississippi
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*
- University of Mississippi (#75 in-state, #78 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- University of Southern Mississippi (#136 tie)
US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- University of Southern Mississippi (#117 tie)
Following you will find more in-depth information about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in Mississippi.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Mississippi
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Mississippi nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering meets the requirements for licensure set by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
| School | ADN or LVN Program | BSN Program | Graduate Nursing Program | ACEN/CCNE Accred.* | NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^ | # Taking | Net Price^^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcorn State University | Yes | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 52.27% | N/A | $14,237 |
| Belhaven University | No | Yes | No | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $15,527 |
| Coahoma Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 90.91% | N/A | $2,449 |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 94.12% | N/A | $3,795 |
| Delta State University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $12,883 |
| East Central Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 81.82% | N/A | $5,345 |
| East Mississippi Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 92.86% | N/A | $5,499 |
| Hinds Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 87.91% | N/A | $4,502 |
| Holmes Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 92.85% | N/A | $5,231 |
| Itawamba Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 93.41% | N/A | $6,070 |
| Jones County Junior College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 100% | N/A | $6,291 |
| Meridian Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 92.78% | N/A | $6,888 |
| Mississippi College | No | Yes | No | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 92.73% | N/A | $16,017 |
| Mississippi Delta Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 96% | N/A | $3,098 |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 98.17% | N/A | $6,655 |
| Mississippi University for Women | Yes | Yes | Yes | ACEN/CCNE | N/A | N/A | 93.02% | N/A | $10,930 |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 92.86% | N/A | $7,134 |
| Northwest Mississippi Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 88.68% | N/A | $6,547 |
| Pearl River Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 86.81% | N/A | $1,649 |
| Southwest Mississippi Community College | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 92.75% | N/A | $5,599 |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 100% | N/A | $14,918 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 95.89% | N/A | $12,055 |
| William Carey University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 94.64% | N/A | $15,026 |
*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
**NCLEX-PN pass rates have not been made available by the Mississippi Community College Board.7 You can research the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).
Schools in Mississippi with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State University offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) that can be completed in five semesters of full-time study. A fast-track option is also available for licensed practical nurses which can be completed in three semesters. On either track, the ASN is designed to develop critical thinking and skills for safe, effective nursing care. In addition to academic courses, students complete clinical and virtual laboratories as well as real-world clinical placements to gain hands-on experience in nursing care. Alcorn State also maintains programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) on its Natchez campus. All three nursing programs at Alcorn State are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Southwest Mississippi Community College
Southwest Mississippi Community College (SMCC) awards an associate degree in nursing that requires 70 semester hours to complete for first-time nursing students and 57 credit hours to complete for licensed practical nurses pursuing the LPN to RN bridge option. Admission to the program is competitive and is based on such factors as the student’s GPA, ACT composite score, and score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and begin entry-level careers as registered nurses. For those who are not yet prepared to enter an associate’s degree program, SMCC also offers a practical nursing diploma program that can be completed in 12 months.
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
University of Southern Mississippi
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at the University of Southern Mississippi must take 128 credits to fulfill degree requirements. The program is divided into two parts: 59 credits cover prerequisites in the liberal arts and 69 credits focus on nursing curriculum. Nursing classes are diverse and include population-focused nursing, pharmacology, complex conditions across the lifespan, pathophysiology, and professional nursing concepts. Mandatory labs provide the opportunity for hands-on experience in a supervised setting. Clinical rotations are also a requirement with nursing majors working at affiliated medical facilities. All applicants must take the Kaplan Admissions Test to be considered for admission.
Mississippi College
Mississippi College’s four-year undergraduate nursing program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Students spend the first two years of the program completing general college requirements in English, math, science, and history. The remaining two years are dedicated to the nursing curriculum which focuses on pharmacology, health assessment, nursing management, and community health nursing. Nursing majors will gain real-world experience through mandatory clinical practicums. Academically eligible students may want to apply for membership to Sigma Theta Tau, the honor society for nursing students. Current registered nurses may want to consider the nursing department’s RN to BSN program.
Master’s in Nursing Programs
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares graduate students for advanced nursing positions. Students can concentrate in one of six areas: adult gerontology acute care, family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nursing and health care administrator, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Full-time and part-time study are permitted. Graduate students, depending on the concentration, may be required to participate in a clinical practicum for as many as 360 hours. Successful applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), either hold or be eligible for a registered nurse’s license, and must submit GRE scores.
Delta State University
Delta State University’s School of Nursing features a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with graduate students choosing from one of six concentrations: nursing administration, nursing education, family nurse practitioner, gerontology nurse practitioner, adult psychiatric/mental health nursing practitioner, and family psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. Students must complete between 42 and 48 credits, depending on the concentration, to fulfill degree requirements. The MSN program generally takes two years to complete. In addition to in-classroom coursework, nursing students must complete a practicum and either a thesis or a research project. Graduate students may be eligible for one of several dozen scholarships, which can help defray educational costs.
Student Reviews
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
51 Main St
Perkinston, MS 39573
(601) 928-5211
https://mgccc.edu/
Student Review: “MGCCC provides a top of the line Nursing program for those who want to work in the local area hospitals as a Registered Nurse. The program is not as challenging as people state it is but is demanding in terms of your time and effort/devotion to the class. Students in the program are allowed to the hospitals on clinicals which give them a way to tour departments of the hospital and see what each department provides, along with a way to ask any questions you might have to those who work in said departments. The program made well and sure students would be able to be successful in their future endeavors as an RN and left no students behind. I personally would recommend this class to anyone in the area wanting to be a nurse.” – Student at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Dr
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-5000
https://www.usm.edu/
Student Review: “I attended the nursing program at The University of Southern Mississippi the semester after Hurricane Katrina. It was a really tragic time. It definitely colored my experience, I’m sure. From what I remember nursing school was an uphill battle (confusing lectures with unreal expectations from staff without enough direction). I hated every second of it, but it’s also one of my proudest achievements. Despite all of those obstacles in my way I not only completed all of the required courses, I graduated. The entire time I was enrolled in nursing school it felt like I was in complete survival mode. In between commuting (almost an hour one way), being in a constant state of confusion over assignments, and recovering from the worst hurricanes the Gulf Coast had seen in decades, it still amazes me that I made it through. Even after I graduated I quickly found out there was still a lot more for me to learn. Either way, I’m glad I did it. I’m even gladder it’s over.” – Student at the University of Southern Mississippi
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. Mississippi Board of Nursing: http://www.mississippi.edu/nursing/downloads/annual_report_2014.pdf