Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Columbus

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Charles McLaran HouseCharles McLaran House · Photo: Jack Boucher · Public domain
Colleges in and near Columbus

Columbus is home to Mississippi University for Women

Mississippi University for Women (1,504 students on campus) is inside the city. About 8% of Columbus’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Mississippi (6%).

Mississippi University for Women

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Columbus. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
1,504 students on campus
Nearest college
1.2 mi
Mississippi University for Women
Residents in college
8%
About the same as MS (6%)
Nearest community college
47.1 mi
East Mississippi · $4,095 tuition
Nearest public university
1.2 mi
Mississippi University for Women · $8,492 in-state
Median household income
$42K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Columbus

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in ColumbusMississippi University for Women has 1,504 students on campus in Columbus, 47% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Mississippi University for WomenLiving in Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women charges $8,492 in tuition and fees, the same for every student.A community college 47.1 miles awayEast Mississippi Community College in Scooba: tuition and fees $4,095 a year for Mississippi residents.Students are 8% of residentsAbout the same as Mississippi (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Columbus

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Columbus.

5 mi10 mi15 miMississippi University for WomenColumbus
University or collegeCommunity college
Mississippi University for WomenUniversity or college · Public · 1,504 on campus · In Columbus90%admitted$12knet price47%graduate$46kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Columbus’ median household income ($42,235) falls.

Mississippi University for WomenIn Columbus · sticker $22,225$10,434a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Columbus: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women47% graduate$46k earnings$15k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Columbus

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Mississippi University for Women, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 64%Business 13%Education 4%Parks & recreation 3%Biology 2%Liberal arts 2%Everything else 12%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing357 graduates a year
$92k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations130 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services34 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Public Health27 graduates a year
$38k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness25 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods22 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities15 graduates a year
$39k4 yrs out
Culinary Arts and Related Services9 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Columbus

Is Columbus a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Columbus residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Mississippi (6). The largest campus in the city, Mississippi University for Women, has 1,504 students on campus.

What colleges are in Columbus?

Mississippi University for Women is inside the city. East Mississippi Community College is 47.1 miles away in Scooba.

What is the closest community college to Columbus, and what does it cost?

East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, 47.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,095 a year for Mississippi residents; the federal net price, $4,608, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Mississippi University for Women cost if we live in Mississippi?

Tuition and fees are $8,492 a year in-state and $8,492 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,676 (under $30,000 income) to $19,285 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Columbus. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →