bsn degree

Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Mississippi

Tucked in the heart of the South, Mississippi is home to many excellent and nationally-renowned colleges and universities. Mississippi is also home to plenty of excellent hospitals and healthcare facilities, too.

Before you begin your career as a nurse, you have to take and pass the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse (RN). To do so, you must complete a minimum amount of education and experience.

While not (yet) required for RNs, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) prepares you for the NCLEX and increases your chances of finding a high-paying nursing position. If you plan on working as a nurse in Mississippi, the best move may be to earn a BSN at one of the best Mississippi colleges or universities.

Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Mississippi nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.

Top 10 Nursing Schools in Mississippi

Delta State University

Annual Tuition: $6,112 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.37%

Traditional: Yes

Online: Yes

Accelerated: No

Bridge: Yes

It's tough to beat the affordability of Delta State University. The Cleveland-based school of just over 3,000 students offers the same tuition rate to all students meaning there's no out-of-state tuitiona rarity for a public school. Delta State's low cost has no impact on the quality of the nursing program, seeing how well BSN graduates perform on the NCLEX. The BSN takes five semesters to complete full-time, though a part-time option is also available. Delta State also has an online RN-BSN and an online masters of science in nursing (MSN) and doctoral program (DNP).

Mississippi College

Annual Tuition: $16,114 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.55%

Traditional: Yes

Online: Yes

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

Mississippi College is one of the oldest colleges in the state. With a student body of just over 5,000 students, this Christian school is the epitome of a small school, private education. Nursing students of nearly every background have options at Mississippi College, including a traditional BSN, accelerated second degree BSN, online MSN, and online RN-BSN. If you're a current RN planning on completing the RN-BSN program, your tuition will be charged at a special credit hour rate. Depending on how many courses you need to complete a BSN, this could prove to be more affordable than other options.

Mississippi University for Women

Annual Tuition: $5,781 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 99.34%

Traditional: Yes

Online: Yes

Accelerated: Yes

Bridge: Yes

Created as the first public women's college in the nation, Mississippi University for Women now allows men to apply, too. The majority of classes at MUW have fewer than 20 students, potentially a reason why nursing students have enjoyed so much success. Mississippi University for Women has seen every graduate of the BSN pass the NCLEX over the past three years. In terms of consistency, this could be the best undergraduate nursing program in Mississippi. Also worth mentioning: the RN-BSN charges a flat rate of $10,000 for the entire program, so you can budget for the entire degree upfront.

The University of Southern Mississippi

Annual Tuition: $7,334 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.59%

Traditional: Yes

Online: Yes

Accelerated: No

Bridge: Yes

The University of Southern Mississippi is a large public research school spread over two campuses in Hattiesburg and Gulf Park. If you're a student planning on a BSN, you can complete your education at either of the campuses. The BSN allows early admission, so qualified high school students can gain admission to the nursing school prior to starting their freshman year. An online RN-BSN bridge program is also offered for current RNs who have an associate degree in nursing. Graduate nursing students can choose from multiple master's and doctorate programs, including nurse anesthesia, family nurse practitioner, and nursing leadership.

William Carey University

Annual Tuition: $11,700 (based on per-credit tuition rate) | NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.39%

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