Colleges Near Columbus, Mississippi
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Columbus? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 90 miles of Columbus, Mississippi.
There are at least 11 colleges serving the area, including 2 private colleges and universities, 4 public colleges and universities, and 5 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Columbus, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Columbus, Mississippi Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Columbus, Mississippi have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 21,711 doctorates at colleges and universities near Columbus. That was an increase of 5% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Columbus, Mississippi
There are at least 2 schools offering degrees near Columbus, Mississippi, and 2 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 5,844 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 2,266 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,226 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Columbus, Mississippi area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Stillman College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Stillman College. In 2024, 95 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
727
Completions By Degree
95
Est. Online Degree Availability
58%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Columbus, Mississippi
There are 4 four-year public colleges located near Columbus, Mississippi. About 53,639 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 18,118 degrees were completed at public colleges near Columbus. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
The University of Alabama is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at The University of Alabama. In 2024, 7,135 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 2,162 master's degrees, and 436 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
31,360
Completions By Degree
9,733
Est. Online Degree Availability
44%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of West Alabama is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at University of West Alabama. In 2024, 1,097 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 41 associate degrees, 360 bachelor's degrees, and 9 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,424
Completions By Degree
1,507
Est. Online Degree Availability
88%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mississippi University for Women is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Mississippi University for Women. In 2024, 708 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 37 associate degrees, 122 master's degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,701
Completions By Degree
873
Est. Online Degree Availability
66%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mississippi State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Mississippi State University. In 2024, 4,629 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1,134 master's degrees, and 242 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
18,154
Completions By Degree
6,005
Est. Online Degree Availability
51%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Columbus, Mississippi
There are 5 community colleges near Columbus, Mississippi where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 14,354 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Columbus, and about 3,498 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northeast Mississippi Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,566
Completions By Degree
736
Est. Online Degree Availability
70%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bevill State Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,205
Completions By Degree
494
Est. Online Degree Availability
10%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Itawamba Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,730
Completions By Degree
980
Est. Online Degree Availability
73%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
East Mississippi Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,596
Completions By Degree
724
Est. Online Degree Availability
72%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Shelton State Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,257
Completions By Degree
564
Est. Online Degree Availability
11%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Columbus, Mississippi
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Columbus, Mississippi? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Columbus-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $10,485. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Columbus is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Columbus, Mississippi
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Columbus, Mississippi is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Columbus, Mississippi here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Stillman College
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Bevill State Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Shelton State Community College
Columbus, Mississippi Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Columbus? What's the Columbus, Mississippi job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 264,786 jobs in the Columbus, Mississippi area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Columbus was above the national average, at 1.6%. There were 34,783 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Columbus do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $17.87.