Accounting Degree Overview for Mississippi

In the heart of America’s Deep South, Mississippi is home to nearly 3 million citizens. The state ranked among the nation’s top three cotton producers until 2000, when soil erosion forced Mississippi to diversify its agricultural crops. Today, agriculture (including rice and soybeans), manufacturing, and forestry top the list of main industries driving Mississippi’s state economy.

Historically among the poorest southern states, Mississippians with degrees in adaptable fields like business or finance can pursue the state’s most lucrative jobs. Mississippi houses 41 colleges and universities, many of which offer traditional and online accounting degrees, which lead to diverse career prospects. The state currently employs 5,780 accountants in a variety of fields and concentrations.

The best accounting schools in Mississippi prepare students for popular jobs in fields like bookkeeping, cost accounting, and personal finance management. Read on to walk through the process of pursuing an accounting career in Mississippi.

• Mississippi Education Statistics
• Accounting Careers in Mississippi

Mississippi at a Glance

Top Mississippi Schools for Accounting

• University of Mississippi
• Millsaps College
• Mississippi College
• Mississippi State University
• Mississippi University for Women
• University of Southern Mississippi
• Delta State University
• Jackson State University
• Alcorn State University
• Mississippi Valley State University

Why Go to College for Accounting in Mississippi?

Mississippi models to its citizens the necessity of a college education. Students can pursue accounting degrees in Mississippi at their choice of more than 40 two- and four-year colleges. The number of citizens ages 25 and older who hold associate degrees in Mississippi exceeds the national average. 

Mississippi also enrolls an above-average percentage of distance students. As of 2018, roughly 41% of students in Mississippi enrolled exclusively or partially in online learning programs, compared to 35% nationwide. The majority of schools enable students to choose whether to complete their accounting degree in Mississippi on campus or online. 

At schools like Mississippi State, business and management are among the most popular college majors. Many students who choose to complete an online accounting degree in Mississippi enjoy the same in-state tuition rates as campus learners, often with additional benefits such as accelerated completion options. 

Emphasizing networking and training opportunities, state colleges prepare students for lucrative accounting careers in Mississippi to meet the local economic demand. The Mississippi Department of Education encourages high school students to pursue college-level coursework through its College and Career Readiness initiative.

Education Statistics for Mississippi

With 19 four-year and 22 two-year institutions in the state, Mississippi offers a number of paths to students pursuing higher education. While Mississippi provides lower appropriations per full-time student than the national figures, the state directs a higher percentage of its tax revenue toward higher education. Mississippi also enrolls more students in distance education than the nationwide average.

Higher Education in Mississippi

Accreditation for Mississippi Schools

Students pursuing accounting degrees in Mississippi should consider only accredited schools. While both regional and national agencies accredit qualified schools, regional accreditation is reserved for nonprofit institutions, which national accrediting agencies serve for-profit and vocational institutions. Accreditation ensures that the curriculum of a program meets rigorous standards to give students a valuable education.

Some of the best accounting schools in Mississippi are accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the regional accrediting body for many southern states. Other Mississippi schools may receive national accreditation through an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Some accounting programs hold additional programmatic accreditation through an organization such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Considerations for an Accounting Degree in Mississippi

Students must take many factors into account when selecting an accounting degree in Mississippi. Many students begin by narrowing their list to include either distance or campus-based programs. While fewer Mississippi students enroll exclusively in online programs than the national numbers, nearly 28% of Mississippians (compared to 18% nationwide) enroll in some online courses.

Beyond learning styles, other key considerations include the cost and financial aid options, degree level, and available concentrations. All types of Mississippi schools, even private, four-year universities, offer lower college tuition rates than the national average.

Accounting Degree Levels

Students should hone in on their individual career goals to select the right degree level and program. Most prospective students also look critically at factors like cost, format, and program length.

The following outlines the key considerations for levels of accounting degrees in Mississippi.

Accounting Concentration Options

Earning a bachelor’s or master’s in accounting in Mississippi enables students to choose from a variety of available concentrations. Students should select a concentration aligned with their career goals to enter the field of accounting in Mississippi. The following are two of the state’s most popular accounting concentrations. 

Explore More Accounting Concentrations

On-Campus Versus Online Program Options

Many of the best accounting schools in Mississippi offer online, on campus, and hybrid study options. Most online accounting degrees do not include strict in-person coursework requirements, which makes accounting an ideal major for students seeking a flexible, customizable program.

On-Campus Programs

Most accounting schools in Mississippi offer traditional programs on campus, ideal for students seeking an in-person college experience. Many students benefit from physical access to academic resources, social gatherings, and campus amenities. Others simply prefer learning in person in a conventional classroom environment.

Online Programs

Online accounting degrees in Mississippi can provide the same immersive experience as a traditional degree. Distance learners complete coursework online through weekly assignments, supported by resources including virtual textbooks and tutoring options. Online learners may require additional self-management skills, especially time management, compared to students on campus. 

Many online programs offer discounted tuition and savings on living expenses and commuting costs, compared to a traditional degree. Online degrees also maximize flexibility for students seeking a customizable program for their schedule or location. 

Hybrid Programs

Students who require a combination of in-person and online instruction can benefit from hybrid programs. Hybrid learning degrees combine online classes with required in-person components several times per semester. Many programs accommodate working students by holding in-person experiences on nights or weekends. Part-time learners and commuters with limited access to campus may prefer hybrid programs. 

Percentage of Students Enrolled in Distance Education

Paying for Your Accounting Degree

Many students pursuing an accounting degree in Mississippi require financial aid. Most schools require applicants to complete the FAFSA, which determines initial financial aid eligibility. After filing, students may be eligible for scholarships, grants, fellowships, and loans.

Most federal aid, and some privately awarded scholarships and grants, provide funds based on need, verified by a student’s (or their parents’) income on tax returns. Other scholarships, fellowships, and grants award aid according to merit, based on geographic considerations, or targeted toward underserved populations. Many scholarships and grants do not require repayment. Loans, by contrast, require repayment, often with high interest rates.

• Learn More About Financial Aid Options
• Learn More About and Explore Accounting Scholarships

Average Cost of College Tuition and Fees in Mississippi, 2017-2018

In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition

Most colleges use in- or out-of-state residency to determine variable tuition rates. Residents of Mississippi qualify for the in-state tuition rate, which is typically lower than out-of-state tuition. Some of the best accounting schools in Mississippi offer discounts for choosing a particular program or major. Generally, nonresident students can apply for federal aid, grants, and scholarships to help finance their accounting degree in Mississippi.

Colleges commonly offer students additional savings by freezing tuition rates or charging flat rates for online programs. As a member of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), Mississippi allows nonresident students from the SREB’s 16-state region to pay less for out-of-state tuition.

Mississippi’s Cost of Living

Outside of direct education expenses, the cost of living significantly impacts the decision to attend college in a particular state. Mississippi boasts the lowest cost of living in the U.S. at 84.5, well below the national average of 100. A big factor contributing to this score: Mississippians enjoy the nation’s lowest housing index (67.1 compared to the nationwide average of 100). 

Other School Selection Criteria

With affordable tuition rates and a low cost of living, Mississippi attracts numerous college prospects. However, whether a student is considering a traditional or online accounting degree in Mississippi, geography is just one of the factors required in choosing the right school. A few other key considerations:

Careers for Accounting Graduates in Mississippi

A perennial career in nationwide business and finance sectors, accounting provides steady employment and favorable salaries in nearly every state. Accounting careers in Mississippi can yield a mean annual wage of more than $65,000, according to the BLS. While projected job growth for accountants between 2018 and 2028 in Mississippi falls below the national average, the career field is still expected to grow (2.5% growth in the state compared to 6.4% nationally).

Mississippi offers unique career prospects for qualified accountants and auditors. Two of the nation’s renowned “Big 4” accounting firms, KPMG and Deloitte, maintain offices in Jackson and Hattiesburg, respectively. Additionally, Mississippi hosts one of the South’s largest accounting and advisory firms, Horne, LLP.

Select Accounting Careers in Mississippi

Mississippi Employment Trends

Projected Job Growth for Accountants

Curious about other accounting jobs? Explore more here

Accounting careers in Mississippi offer stable employment and salaries within reach of the national mean. As shown above, Mississippians who hold an associate degree in accounting can pursue careers in fields including bookkeeping/auditing, payroll, and credit counseling. While Mississippi employs more bookkeepers and auditing clerks than any other accounting field, credit counselors enjoy the highest salaries among entry-level accounting professionals.

Students in Mississippi with a bachelor’s or master’s in accounting enjoy a proportionate increase in salary and job opportunities. Earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting can prepare students for careers in fields like tax examination or cost estimation. Cost estimators with a bachelor’s degree and field experience enjoy higher employment numbers and an annual mean wage of nearly $64,000.

Master’s degree graduates qualify for the most lucrative accounting careers. Many students pursue CPA licensure on the path toward an accounting career in Mississippi. Accountants and auditors represent the second-highest employment of accounting professionals in Mississippi, after bookkeepers and auditing clerks. While still below the national mean, financial managers earn an annual salary of nearly $96,000, more than any other accounting professionals in Mississippi. 

Mississippi Requirements for Certified Public Accountants

A common career path for aspiring accountants, becoming a CPA requires different steps in each state. All accountants require CPA certification to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many also enjoy increased job prospects through CPA certification. 

Students must undergo a state-specific process to achieve CPA certification. All states require CPAs to pass a comprehensive exam, which covers accounting coursework in business environment and concepts, auditing and attestation, regulation, and financial accounting and reporting. Requirements for Mississippi CPA candidates include:

• Learn more about the CPA Exam
• Learn more about having a career as a CPA

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions