Best Community Colleges in Mississippi of 2023

Copiah-Lincoln Community College has 3,000 students taking classes on three campuses: Wesson, Natchez, and Mendenhall. The two-year school offers courses at first- and second-year collegiate levels. These courses will transfer to any public Mississippi college, or university per a state agreement called the Mississippi Articulation Transfer Tool. Students can choose courses in the areas of business, education, fine arts, health, humanities, math, science, and social science. There are also 37 career and technical programs offered, most leading to certification in a trade. A few, like nursing, end with an associate degree. The school has nine residence halls on the main campus in Wesson, with room for 600 students. Students must be enrolled full-time and maintain a 2.0 GPA to live in the dorms. In 2020, Copiah-Lincoln Community College had a 66.7% retention rate, above the state’s average of 60.5%.

Located in the town of Summit, the picturesque property that houses Southwest Mississippi Community College used to be a popular resort known for its mineral waters and wells. About 2,000 students attend the school either with intentions to transfer to a four-year school or to complete a career or technical program. Southwest Mississippi Community College offers math, science, social science, and business courses at first- and second-year collegiate levels. These courses will transfer to any public Mississippi college, or university per a state agreement called the Mississippi Articulation Transfer Tool. Career and technical education programs include Medical Office Technology, Early Childhood Education, and Oil and Gas Production Technology. The school has a nationally ranked quiz bowl team and receives funding under the U.S. Department of Education's Predominantly Black Institutions Program.

Founded in 1928, East Central Community College serves Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, and Winston counties. About 2,400 students attend the school, which offers 17 Associate of Science and Associate of Arts degrees, 23 terminal degree programs in healthcare and/or career and technical education, and many certificates. There are nine residence halls for 700 students on campus in Decatur, giving the school the highest percentage of students living in on-campus housing among all the Mississippi community colleges. All residence halls for men were recently remodeled, and a new women's dorm recently opened. Academically, the school features small average class sizes of 19 and a unique day-day class schedule in which Fridays are devoted to studying or other learning activities. The school is also home to the largest collegiate chapter of the nation’s Future Business Leaders of America.

East Mississippi Community College has seven locations that draw students primarily from a six-county area. The Golden Triangle campus in Mayhew is the busiest serving 4,000 commuter students. The Scooba campus — which is the original campus for the school — has dorms and draws about 1,000 commuters and residential students. A notable academic program is the school’s Recreational Golf/Turf Management Technology program, which is located at the Lions Hill campus in Columbus and features a USGA 18-hole golf course. The school offers first- and second-year student collegiate-level courses from three academic divisions. These courses will transfer to any public Mississippi college, or university per a state agreement called the Mississippi Articulation Transfer Tool. There are also 30 career and technical programs, most leading to certification in a trade like culinary arts, barbering, and landscape management.

Mississippi Delta Community College stands out for having the best graduation rate on this list. The school has a student body of about 4,000 and four campuses in Moorhead, Greenville, Greenwood, and Indianola. It’s the only community college in the state with a law enforcement training academy and has a new $4 million student union at the main campus in Moorhead. The two-year school offers courses at first- and second-year student collegiate levels. These courses will transfer to any public Mississippi college, or university per a state agreement called the Mississippi Articulation Transfer Tool. Students can choose courses in the areas of business, education, fine arts, health, humanities, math, sciences, and social sciences. There are also career and technical programs offered and many certificate options. Mississippi Delta Community College has an on-campus Office of Veterans Affairs that assists veterans, reservists, and their dependents with educational benefits and other needs.

Established in 1924, Coahoma Community College is a historically Black institution located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta in Clarksdale. Its nickname is the “College that Cares,” and it provides excellent support services to its 1,600 students. These supports include free tutoring, counseling, career services, and a unique mentoring program called Communicating Opportunities through Mentoring Practices to Achieve Student Success (C.O.M.P.A.S.S.) Students who choose to join C.O.M.P.A.S.S. are paired with a caring staff or faculty member who mentors them throughout their time at the college. Academically, the school offers Associate of Arts degrees in seven academic disciplines, as well as career and technical education, health sciences education, and workforce development. On-campus housing is available, and more than 30 clubs and organizations are available for students.

Itawamba Community College, whose main campus is in Fulton, draws students primarily from Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, and Pontotoc counties. More than 85 percent of its 4,800 students receive scholarships or financial aid. There are many need and merit scholarships available, including those for achievement in archery, cheerleading, music, and journalism. Over 115 academic programs are offered, including technical and academic associate degrees and career certifications. The school has some unique choices for programs of study, including an Associate of Arts in Education of the Deaf, an Associate of Arts in Forensics, and an Associate of Arts in African American Studies. The average class size at Itawamba Community College is 20-35 students, and the student-teacher ratio is 20:1. On-campus housing for 1,250 students is offered on the Fulton campus.

With its main campus in Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College has about 7,000 students enrolled in an associate degree or career preparation programs. The school offers over 500 scholarships, and 93% of its students receive some financial aid. In addition to need and academic-based scholarships, special scholarships are available for students who play on a sports team, are members of the marching or concert bands, or belong to one of the school’s audition-based vocal groups. At Northwest Mississippi Community College, all academic, college-level classes will transfer to any four-year college or university in Mississippi. Career and technical programs with excellent job placement rates are also offered at the college. There is housing available on campus for 1,200 students.

Northeast Mississippi Community College stands out among two-year colleges in Mississippi for its unique Career and Academic Pathways. This program helps students identify their education and career goals and gives them step-by-step guidance for achieving them. Students get a curated educational plan based on their area of interest, including business, nursing, STEM, and fine arts. They also have access to a wealth of support services, like the Career Development Academy, Student Success Center, and special resources for distance learning students. NMCC offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Sciences degrees, as well as certificates. For students who want to earn a four-year degree, NMCC has agreements with Mississippi's public universities. This allows students to complete the first two years of their degree at NMCC before finishing their program at a four-year college.

Located in Central Mississippi, Holmes Community College offers associate degrees, technical and career certificates, as well as workforce training to a student body of about 6,000. Degree choices include an Associate of Arts in Aviation Management, an Associate of Arts in Finance, and an Associate of Arts in Health Sciences. Its Associate of Arts in Pre-Veterinary studies meets the prerequisites for admission into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree offered at Mississippi State University. The school, founded in 1922, has a very old and active alumni association and many perks available to alums. These include a house on campus, Holmes House, which can be rented for events or overnight stays and use of the campus chapel for weddings. Alumni are also recognized annually with awards like Veteran of the Year, Outstanding Alumni, and Sports Hall of Fame induction.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College serves nearly 9,000 students at nine locations, with its main campus in Perkinston. The two-year school offers first- and second-year student collegiate-level courses. These courses will transfer to any public Mississippi college, or university per a state agreement called the Mississippi Articulation Transfer Tool. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College also has formal transfer agreements with several private, four-year institutions, including Tulane University and William Carey University. A particularly notable program at the college is its Cybersecurity Technology Certificate to MBA 3+1+1 program with the Mississippi University for Women. Another is its Simulation and Game Design Technology one-year certificate program through a partnership with EON Reality, Inc. In 2020, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College had a 62.3% retention rate, which was above the state’s average of 60.5%