Best BSW Colleges in Mississippi 2026

11 ranked BSW programs in Mississippi

How we rank these colleges → | All BSW programs in Mississippi →

All 11 Ranked Colleges in Mississippi

1
University of Mississippi

University, MS · Public · 26,449 students

National #68
72 / 100
58.9%
Completion Rate
87.0%
Retention Rate
$9,252
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

University of Mississippi ranks #68 in our 2026 BSW program list. While the school faces some challenges in certain metrics, it may still be a good fit depending on your priorities and location.

A 87.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Mississippi are finding the support they need to persist. You'll pay $9,252 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. University of Mississippi produced 66 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

2
Rust College

Holly Springs, MS · Private · 467 students

National #291
49.1 / 100
31.7%
Completion Rate
84.0%
Retention Rate
$11,385
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Rust College ranks #291 in our 2026 BSW program list. While the school faces some challenges in certain metrics, it may still be a good fit depending on your priorities and location.

A 84.0% retention rate shows that students at Rust College are finding the support they need to persist. At $11,385 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. Only 8 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

3
University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · Public · 13,170 students

National #306
48.1 / 100
41.7%
Completion Rate
72.0%
Retention Rate
$9,508
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

University of Southern Mississippi ranks #306 in our 2026 BSW program list. While the school faces some challenges in certain metrics, it may still be a good fit depending on your priorities and location.

A 72.0% retention rate shows that students at University of Southern Mississippi are finding the support they need to persist. At $9,508 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. University of Southern Mississippi produced 69 BSW completions recently, showing the program has meaningful throughput.

4
Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public · 23,150 students

National #309
47.9 / 100
48.2%
Completion Rate
83.0%
Retention Rate
$9,665
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #309, Mississippi State University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

The school holds onto 83.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. In-state tuition sits at $9,665 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 25 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

5
Alcorn State University

Alcorn State, MS · Public · 2,995 students

National #323
46.7 / 100
39.7%
Completion Rate
77.0%
Retention Rate
$7,869
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #323, Alcorn State University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

With a retention rate of 77.0%, Alcorn State University clearly invests in keeping students on track toward their degree. In-state tuition sits at $7,869 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. With 20 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

6
Jackson State University

Jackson, MS · Public · 6,326 students

National #357
44.1 / 100
39.4%
Completion Rate
62.0%
Retention Rate
$8,520
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #357, Jackson State University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

With 62.0% of students returning after their first year, Jackson State University maintains a reasonable retention rate. In-state tuition sits at $8,520 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program graduated 66 social work students last year, making it one of the more active BSW programs.

7
Delta State University

Cleveland, MS · Public · 2,654 students

National #426
37.6 / 100
40.9%
Completion Rate
67.0%
Retention Rate
$8,435
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Delta State University sits at #426 in our 2026 BSW rankings. The program's numbers are mixed, but your experience will depend on many factors beyond what rankings capture.

Delta State University keeps 67.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. You'll pay $8,435 per year in tuition, which is in the typical range for BSW programs. With 19 social work graduates, this is a program with a track record of getting students across the finish line.

8
Mississippi College

Clinton, MS · Private · 4,164 students

National #429
37.2 / 100
50.3%
Completion Rate
78.0%
Retention Rate
$20,246
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Mississippi College ranks #429 in our 2026 BSW program list. While the school faces some challenges in certain metrics, it may still be a good fit depending on your priorities and location.

A 78.0% retention rate shows that students at Mississippi College are finding the support they need to persist. In-state tuition of $20,246 per year puts this on the pricier side, so you'll want to factor in financial aid availability. Only 6 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

9
Tougaloo College

Tougaloo, MS · Private · 1,301 students

National #535
25.6 / 100
15.6%
Completion Rate
83.0%
Retention Rate
$10,258
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #535, Tougaloo College is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

The school holds onto 83.0% of its first-year students, a sign that people who enroll here tend to stay and finish. At $10,258 per year, the tuition is moderate — not the cheapest option, but far from the most expensive. Only 2 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

10
Belhaven University

Jackson, MS · Private · 4,213 students

National #575
19.7 / 100
46.2%
Completion Rate
68.0%
Retention Rate
$28,800
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #575, Belhaven University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

Belhaven University keeps 68.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. Tuition runs $28,800 per year, which is higher than many comparable programs. Financial aid can help offset the cost. Only 4 students completed the BSW recently. Smaller cohorts can be an advantage if you prefer tighter-knit learning.

11
Mississippi Valley State University

Itta Bena, MS · Public · 2,205 students

National #576
19.6 / 100
37.9%
Completion Rate
70.0%
Retention Rate
$7,892
In-State Tuition (excl. fees)

Coming in at #576, Mississippi Valley State University is a BSW program with room to grow. That said, rankings don't tell the whole story — factors like location, campus culture, and fieldwork opportunities matter too.

Mississippi Valley State University keeps 70.0% of its students year over year, which is in line with what you'd expect from a mid-range program. In-state tuition sits at $7,892 per year, keeping costs manageable for most students. The program is smaller, with 5 social work completions last year — which can mean more personalized attention.

Where a BSW Leads

A Bachelor of Social Work opens into six main practice areas, and pay differs between them by more than most prospective students expect. Each guide below carries the full BLS percentile spread, pay by work setting, and pay by state. Figures are May 2025 medians.

Not sure which fits? Start with the career and salary overview or the is social work for me self-assessment.