Best Master's in Communication Programs in Mississippi

Mississippi's communication master's candidates choose between a tight cluster of affordable public programs, including Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State, and a single private online option like Mississippi College that trades higher cost for scheduling flexibility. The state's communication demand is growing fastest in healthcare, government, and media, where employers need advanced skills in messaging, digital strategy, and stakeholder engagement. Seven programs from Ole Miss to the University of Southern Mississippi span strategic communication, speech-language pathology, and convergent media, with both campus-based and fully online formats available. Program-level earnings data remain largely unpublished, making institutional affordability and completion rates the most reliable benchmarks when comparing options.

Best Master's in Communication Programs in Mississippi for 2026

Mississippi's graduate communication landscape spans everything from strategic communication and public relations to convergent media and speech-language pathology, with programs available on campus and fully online. Our ranking prioritizes affordability, financial aid generosity, and net price so that working professionals can find the best return on their investment. Below, each school is profiled with tuition data, institutional graduation rates, and available earnings information to help you compare options side by side.

Mississippi Communication Program Costs at a Glance

Graduate tuition in Mississippi varies widely depending on the institution and your residency status. Public universities offer significant savings for in-state students, while a few schools charge the same rate regardless of where you live. The figures below reflect annual graduate tuition reported to IPEDS; the institution-wide average net price at each school is an approximate benchmark and not a guarantee of what any individual student will pay.

Tuition and Affordability Comparison for Mississippi Communication Programs

Mississippi's public universities keep graduate tuition well below the national average, and even the state's sole private option, Mississippi College, remains competitive for the region. The figures below reflect institutional tuition rates reported to IPEDS and institution-level median debt from the College Scorecard. Note that per-credit costs can differ from the published annual tuition: for example, the University of Southern Mississippi lists a graduate communication rate of roughly $429 per credit hour for 2025-2026, per FY 2026 Approved Tuition Rates from the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. Always confirm current per-credit pricing directly with each school's graduate admissions office before budgeting.

Online vs. On-Campus Communication Master's Programs in Mississippi

If you are searching for an online master's in communication in Mississippi, you have a couple of strong options, but the majority of the state's programs still require you to be on campus. The University of Southern Mississippi offers a fully online Public Relations M.S., and Mississippi College delivers its Strategic Communication M.S. entirely online as well. The remaining programs at Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi, Jackson State University, Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi Valley State University are campus based. Before enrolling in any online program, verify whether short on-campus intensives, orientations, or proctored exams are required, as policies can change from semester to semester.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Concentrations and Specializations Available in Mississippi

Health communication is one of the named concentrations you will find in Mississippi graduate programs, and it maps directly to one of the state's fastest-growing employer categories. Choosing the right specialization, though, means looking beyond a course catalog and into the hiring landscape itself.

Mapping Specializations to Mississippi Employers

Mississippi's economy shapes the concentrations that matter most for local career traction. Consider the alignment between common graduate focus areas and the employers actively recruiting communication professionals:

• Health Communication: The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and Baptist Health are among the state's largest employers, and both maintain dedicated communications teams for patient education, public affairs, and digital outreach. Search UMMC's and Baptist Health's career pages regularly to track openings that specify graduate-level qualifications.
• Public Relations and Strategic Communication: State government agencies, from the Governor's Office of Communications to the Mississippi Department of Tourism, rely on PR professionals for media relations, crisis messaging, and campaign development. Mississippi state government job listings are a practical starting point for gauging demand in this niche.
• Mass Communication and Media Studies: Mississippi media outlets, including daily newspapers and broadcast affiliates, still hire graduates with editorial, multimedia, or audience analytics skills. The Mississippi Press Association posts job boards and publishes industry reports that illuminate where the field is heading locally.
• Corporate and Organizational Communication: Defense and aerospace operations at Stennis Space Center and Keesler Air Force Base employ communications specialists for internal messaging, community engagement, and technical writing. Employer-specific career pages at these facilities list postings that often prefer or require a master's degree.

How to Research Your Options

Do not rely on program brochures alone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) lets you filter state-level employment data by occupation and industry sector, so you can see exactly how many communications roles exist in Mississippi's healthcare, government, and media sectors. Cross-reference that with the career services or alumni pages of schools like the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State, which often publish employer partner lists and recent internship placements. For a broader view of what a graduate degree can lead to, explore careers with a masters in communication across industries.

Professional organizations add another layer of insight. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Mississippi chapter maintains a job board and hosts events where you can ask practitioners which specializations they see hiring managers prioritize. These conversations can help you choose between, say, health communication and strategic communication before you commit to a concentration.

A Practical Note on Specialization Depth

Some Mississippi programs offer formal concentrations with dedicated coursework, while others let you build a specialization through elective sequencing. Mississippi College's communication graduate program, for instance, gives students flexibility to tailor coursework toward professional goals.¹ When comparing programs, ask whether your preferred focus area includes a capstone, practicum, or portfolio requirement tied to real employers in the state. That applied component can be the difference between a credential and a career-ready skill set. If technical writing roles at facilities like Stennis appeal to you, consider whether an online masters in technical communication might complement a Mississippi-based program.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations for Mississippi Graduates

A master's in communication opens doors to roles in public relations, marketing, media production, corporate communications, and beyond. Understanding what those roles actually pay in Mississippi, and where to find trustworthy salary data, will help you set realistic expectations and negotiate from a position of strength.

Where to Find Mississippi-Specific Wage Data

The single most authoritative source for occupation-level pay is the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, available at bls.gov/oes. You can search by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code and then filter results by state or metropolitan statistical area. A few SOC codes especially relevant to communication graduates include:

• 27-3031 (Public Relations Specialists): The most common landing spot for communication master's holders who go into PR or corporate affairs.
• 11-2031 (Public Relations and Fundraising Managers): A natural next step for experienced PR professionals.
• 11-2021 (Marketing Managers): Often requires both strategic communication skills and business acumen.
• 27-3042 (Technical Writers): A growing niche for graduates who pair communication training with subject-matter expertise.
• 27-3099 (Media and Communication Workers, All Other): A catch-all category that captures emerging hybrid roles.

When reviewing these figures, pay attention to whether you are looking at a national median or a Mississippi-specific median. Nationally, the median annual wage for media and communication workers was $70,300 as of May 2024, compared with $49,500 for all occupations.¹ Mississippi-specific medians for individual SOC codes can differ substantially from national figures due to cost-of-living differences and local demand, so always confirm the geographic filter before drawing conclusions.

For metro-level detail (Jackson, Hattiesburg, or the Gulf Coast, for example), the same OEWS tool lets you select a metropolitan statistical area. You can also contact the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, which publishes local labor market information on communication-related occupations.

University and Professional Association Reports

Beyond BLS data, check graduate outcome reports published by Mississippi State University's Career Center, the University of Southern Mississippi, and other in-state programs. These reports often break down starting salaries by major and degree level, giving you a program-specific picture that federal data alone cannot provide.

Professional organizations add another layer of insight. The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Mississippi Chapter, for instance, periodically surveys members on compensation, and the results reflect regional market realities more closely than a national average would. If you are considering a PR concentration, exploring masters in public relations online programs can also help you benchmark what employers value in credentialed candidates.

Real-Time Market Intelligence

Platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor let you filter for communication roles in Mississippi and view user-reported salary ranges. These tools are excellent for spotting which employers are actively hiring and what they are willing to pay right now. A few caveats to keep in mind:

• Salary figures on these platforms come from user submissions and may skew toward certain industries or experience levels.
• Sample sizes in a smaller state like Mississippi can be limited, so treat any single data point as directional rather than definitive.
• Cross-reference what you find with BLS numbers to get a more complete picture.

Putting It All Together

The smartest approach is to layer multiple data sources. Start with BLS OEWS for a reliable baseline, then refine your expectations using university career reports, PRSA surveys, and real-time job postings. Communication graduates in Mississippi who hold a master's degree generally command higher starting salaries than those with only a bachelor's, and the gap tends to widen in management-track roles like PR director or marketing manager. Having concrete, Mississippi-specific data in hand also strengthens your position when it comes time to negotiate an offer or make the case for a raise.

What Communication Graduates Earn in Mississippi vs. Nationally

Mississippi's lower cost of living stretches communication salaries further than raw numbers suggest, but a gap still exists between in-state and national medians. Program-level first-year and four-year earnings are not yet published for most Mississippi communication master's programs, so the figures below pair institution-wide outcomes with BLS occupational benchmarks to give you a realistic picture.

Funding, Assistantships, and Scholarships for Mississippi Communication Students

Funding a graduate degree in Mississippi is genuinely achievable, and the schools that serve communication students have built aid structures worth understanding before you apply.

Graduate Assistantships: Your Best Starting Point

At the University of Southern Mississippi, graduate assistants in communication receive both a stipend and a tuition waiver covering general tuition and the non-resident fee, as long as they are enrolled in at least nine credit hours during fall and spring terms.¹ That combination can dramatically reduce the net cost of attendance for out-of-state students in particular. The priority deadline for assistantship consideration falls on January 31 for fall entry, with a final deadline of March 1.² You signal your interest directly on the main graduate application, so there is no separate paperwork to track down.³

Mississippi State University and Ole Miss both list graduate assistantships as available within their communication programs, though specific stipend figures and the number of positions offered vary by department and academic year. Contact the graduate coordinator early in the fall semester before your intended start date. Positions at research universities often fill through informal networks before postings go public.

Jackson State, as an HBCU serving a high proportion of Pell-eligible students (roughly 85 percent of undergraduates receive Pell grants), has an institutional culture oriented toward access and financial support. Graduate students should inquire with the Graduate School about assistantship availability and any university-wide fellowship competitions.

Reading the Debt Picture

Institution-level graduate debt figures for these schools range from around $20,000 at Ole Miss to approximately $30,000 at Jackson State. USM and Mississippi State fall in between, near $22,000 to $22,500. Program-level borrowing data for individual communication master's tracks is not yet available through federal reporting, so treat these institutional figures as a rough reference rather than a precise forecast.

Schools where a large share of students receive Pell grants, including USM (about 73 percent) and Mississippi Valley State (about 90 percent), tend to have more developed financial aid offices and staff who are practiced at helping students navigate funding options.

Working Professionals: Employer Reimbursement

If you are already employed, employer tuition reimbursement can cover a meaningful portion of your costs, particularly at fully online programs like USM's public relations M.S. or Mississippi College's strategic communication degree. Professionals exploring online masters in communication management may find similar reimbursement-friendly structures at programs across the country. Many employers cap reimbursement at a per-credit or annual ceiling, so map that benefit against a program's per-credit tuition before committing. Apply for assistantships and employer benefits simultaneously; they are not mutually exclusive, though individual programs may have enrollment-hour requirements that affect eligibility for each.

Admissions Requirements and Selectivity at Mississippi Schools

A 2.5 GPA is all it takes to apply at Mississippi College, while most other programs in the state set the bar at 3.0, making your choice of school a meaningful strategic decision. Few aggregator sites pull together admissions specifics for Mississippi communication master's programs in one place, so here is what you actually need to know before you apply.

Institution-Wide Selectivity

It helps to understand how competitive each campus is overall. Keep in mind that the figures below reflect undergraduate acceptance rates institution-wide, not graduate program admissions specifically, but they give you a sense of each school's general posture.

• Mississippi College: roughly 29 percent acceptance rate, the most selective institution on this list
• Mississippi State University: about 78 percent
• Mississippi Valley State University: approximately 92 percent
• Jackson State University: around 93 percent
• University of Southern Mississippi: roughly 99 percent
• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss): about 97 percent

Graduate communication programs layer their own requirements on top of these institutional baselines, and selectivity can vary significantly from the undergraduate picture.

What Graduate Programs Typically Require

Across Mississippi's communication master's offerings, you will encounter a fairly consistent checklist with a few notable exceptions.

• Minimum GPA: Most programs ask for a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.¹ Mississippi College's MS in Healthcare Communication is a friendlier entry point at 2.5, while Mississippi Valley State's MA in Convergent Media sits at 2.8.
• Standardized tests: The University of Southern Mississippi requires GRE scores for its MA in Communication, though no minimum score is published. Mississippi Valley State takes a test-optional approach, requiring no entrance exam. Check each program's current catalog, because GRE policies have been shifting across the state. If test requirements are a concern, you may also want to explore online masters in communication no GRE options.
• Writing samples: Southern Miss asks for an academic or professional writing sample.¹ Programs focused on mass communication or media production may also evaluate a portfolio of digital work.
• Letters of recommendation: Expect to submit two to three letters. Mississippi College requires at least two; Ole Miss asks for three.
• Statement of purpose: Nearly universal. Use it to connect your professional goals to the program's specific strengths.
• English proficiency: International applicants at Southern Miss need a TOEFL score of at least 79 or an IELTS of 6.5.¹

HBCU Programs vs. Flagship Expectations

Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University, the two HBCUs with graduate communication offerings, tend to emphasize holistic review and professional potential alongside academic metrics. Mississippi Valley State's decision to waive entrance exam requirements lowers a significant barrier for working professionals returning to school. Jackson State, situated in the state capital, draws applicants with ties to public affairs, media, and corporate communication in the Jackson metro area, and its admissions process reflects an interest in community engagement and leadership experience.

Flagship and larger research institutions like Southern Miss and Mississippi State lean more heavily on quantitative benchmarks such as GRE scores and a 3.0 GPA floor. If your undergraduate record is uneven but your professional resume is strong, an HBCU program may offer a more welcoming path into graduate study.

Background Requirements for Career Changers

You do not always need an bachelor's in communication to get started. Southern Miss, for example, admits non-communication majors but expects them to demonstrate general knowledge and strong writing skills.¹ Its mass communication concentration also looks for digital media production competencies. Mississippi College's rolling admissions model is especially accommodating for professionals pivoting mid-career, with fall and spring start dates available.

How Mississippi Compares to Nearby States for Communication Graduate Programs

Weighing whether to stay in Mississippi or cross state lines for your communication master's comes down to cost savings versus program fit, especially when a neighboring school offers a specialization unavailable locally.

Tuition Landscape Across the Region

Mississippi's graduate communication programs tend to run on the affordable end for the region. In-state students at Mississippi institutions typically pay between roughly $8,000 and $12,000 annually for graduate tuition. By comparison, the University of Alabama's graduate rates hover closer to $11,000 to $12,000 per year for residents, while Louisiana State University charges around $9,500 to $11,500 in-state. If you are exploring options in that neighboring state, our guide to communication programs in Louisiana covers the full landscape. The University of Memphis falls in a similar range at approximately $10,000 to $12,000. For Mississippi residents considering an out-of-state move, these differences may seem modest, but out-of-state surcharges can double or triple the total cost unless you qualify for tuition reciprocity.

The SREB Academic Common Market Advantage

Mississippi participates in the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market, a reciprocity agreement covering 15 states that allows residents to pay in-state tuition at out-of-state public institutions for specific graduate programs not available in their home state.¹ If you want a concentration, such as health communication or sports communication masters, that no Mississippi school offers at the graduate level, you may be eligible to attend an Alabama, Louisiana, or Tennessee program at resident rates.² Eligibility is conditional: you must gain regular admission to the host program, and your desired concentration must not be offered within Mississippi.³ The SREB maintains a searchable program inventory where you can verify which communication specializations qualify.⁴

Outcomes and Practical Considerations

Reliable program-level earnings data for neighboring-state communication graduates is limited, making direct outcome comparisons difficult. However, all four states share similar regional job markets in media, corporate communication, and public relations, so salary trajectories for early-career graduates tend to fall within comparable ranges. Before committing to an out-of-state program, confirm reciprocity eligibility through Mississippi's Academic Common Market coordinator, compare net costs after any assistantship or scholarship offers, and evaluate whether the specialization justifies the move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Communication Master's in Mississippi

Prospective graduate students in Mississippi have plenty of practical questions before committing to a communication master's program. Below are answers drawn from current program data, tuition figures, and admissions details for the 2025-2026 academic year.

What colleges in Mississippi offer a master's in communication?

Several universities offer graduate communication programs. Mississippi State University awards an M.A. in Communication (33 credits). The University of Southern Mississippi offers an M.S. in Public Relations (30 credits, fully online). Mississippi College has an M.S. in Strategic Communication (30 credits, online). Mississippi Valley State University offers an M.A. in Convergent Media (36 credits). Jackson State University awards an M.S. in Journalism and Media Studies with a mass communication focus.

Can you get an online master's in communication from a Mississippi university?

Yes. At least two Mississippi schools deliver their programs entirely online. The University of Southern Mississippi's M.S. in Public Relations is a 100% online, 30-credit-hour degree. Mississippi College's M.S. in Strategic Communication is also available in a fully online format designed for working adults. Both accept rolling or standard admissions, making them practical options for professionals who cannot relocate or attend classes on campus.

How much does a master's in communication cost in Mississippi?

In-state tuition at public universities ranges from roughly $7,692 to $10,202 per year. Mississippi Valley State lists the lowest published tuition at about $8,385, while Mississippi State's in-state rate is approximately $10,202. Mississippi College, a private institution, charges around $15,500 for its online strategic communication master's. Out-of-state rates at public schools can climb to nearly $27,637, so residency status matters significantly.

Are there HBCU graduate communication programs in Mississippi?

Yes. Jackson State University, a historically Black university, offers the M.S. in Journalism and Media Studies with a mass communication concentration. The program requires 30 to 33 credits and can be completed in 18 to 24 months. Mississippi Valley State University, also an HBCU, offers the M.A. in Convergent Media, a 36-credit, four-semester program. Both schools provide affordable tuition and emphasize hands-on media training.

What can you do with a master's in communication in Mississippi?

Graduates pursue roles in public relations, corporate communications, media management, higher education, health communication, and government affairs. The degree also qualifies professionals for strategic leadership positions, crisis communication consulting, and digital content strategy. Mississippi's growing healthcare and logistics sectors create demand for skilled communicators, and many graduates find roles in nonprofit advocacy, political campaigns, and journalism across the Gulf South region.

What college or department is communications typically under at Mississippi universities?

It varies by school. At Mississippi State, the program sits within the Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences. Jackson State houses its degree in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Mississippi College places strategic communication under the Department of Communication. The University of Southern Mississippi's public relations program is part of its School of Communication. Convergent Media at Mississippi Valley State falls under its own dedicated department.

How long does it take to complete a communication master's in Mississippi?

Most programs take 12 to 24 months of full-time study. Mississippi College advertises a 12 to 24 month timeline for its 30-credit online degree. Jackson State's mass communication program is designed for completion in 18 to 24 months (30 to 33 credits). Mississippi Valley State's convergent media degree spans four semesters (36 credits). Part-time students at any school should expect a longer timeline, typically up to three years.