Arkansas
Rank #18
In-state tuition$10,500
Out-of-state$27,630
4-year sticker$42,000
All states
2025-26
Arkansas vs Mississippi College Cost
Mississippi has lower in-state tuition by $390/yr.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2025-26
Arkansas vs Mississippi side by side
Mississippi
Rank #16
In-state tuition$10,110
Out-of-state$24,890
4-year sticker$40,440
Mississippi has lower in-state tuition
$390 per year cheaper ($1,560 over 4 years, tuition only). Net price after financial aid may differ—use college net price calculators for personalized estimates.
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Public college tuition, out-of-state premiums, and 529 benefits.
Key takeaways — college cost comparison
- Mississippi has lower in-state tuition by $390/yr ($1,560 over 4 years). Arkansas: $10,500. Mississippi: $10,110.
- Arkansas ranks #18 nationally; Mississippi ranks #16 (lowest = #1).
- Out-of-state differs by $2,740/yr.
- Room & board (US avg $13,900/yr) is not included in tuition figures.
- Both states may offer 529 plan tax benefits. Check /529-calculator for deduction/credit details.
- Net price after aid is typically lower than sticker. Use college net price calculators.
Arkansas vs Mississippi: in-state tuition comparison
Mississippi has lower in-state tuition: $10,110/yr (rank #16) vs $10,500/yr (rank #18) in Arkansas. That's a $390 annual gap, or $1,560 over 4 years (tuition only, before aid).
Room & board is not included. Add US average room & board ($13,900/yr) to estimate COA: Arkansas ≈ $24,400/yr; Mississippi ≈ $24,010/yr.
These are sticker prices from College Board. Net price after federal Pell Grants, state aid, institutional scholarships, and merit awards is typically much lower. Use college net price calculators for personalized estimates.
Out-of-state tuition: Arkansas vs Mississippi
Arkansas out-of-state: $27,630/yr (premium +$17,130). Mississippi: $24,890/yr (premium +$14,780). Difference: $2,740/yr, or $10,960 over 4 years.
Out-of-state premiums fund the portion of costs not subsidized by state taxpayers. Students from neighboring states sometimes qualify for regional tuition exchange programs that reduce or waive the premium.
Community college costs in Arkansas and Mississippi
Arkansas public 2-year in-district: $4,839/yr. Mississippi: $4,120/yr. Starting at community college and transferring after 2 years cuts total 4-year costs significantly.
Many students complete general education requirements at community college and transfer to a 4-year institution with junior standing, saving tens of thousands in tuition. Verify transfer pathways and articulation agreements with your target 4-year school.
529 plan tax benefits: Arkansas vs Mississippi
Both Arkansas and Mississippi residents can open 529 college savings plans. State tax benefits vary: some states offer unlimited deductions, others cap deductions at $1,000–$10,000/yr, and a few offer flat tax credits instead of deductions.
Use our /529-calculator to compare Arkansas (AR) and Mississippi (MS) tax savings, project account growth at different return rates, and evaluate superfunding (5-year lump sum) vs annual contributions.
529 plans offer federal tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses: tuition, fees, room, board, books, computers, and K-12 tuition (up to $10,000/yr). Some states also allow 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers under SECURE 2.0 Act rules.
Who this comparison helps
- Families comparing Arkansas and Mississippi for college relocation decisions.
- High school students weighing in-state vs out-of-state tuition in Arkansas or Mississippi.
- 529 savers in Arkansas or Mississippi setting contribution targets based on tuition trends.
- Guidance counselors comparing public college affordability across state lines.
When to use other tools
- You need net price after aid (use college net price calculators, not sticker price).
- You're comparing private college costs (this comparison covers public 4-year and 2-year only).
- You need current tuition at a specific campus (flagship and regional costs vary).
- You're filing residency appeals (consult institution-specific domicile policies).
College cost comparison checklist
- Compare in-state tuition: Arkansas $10,500 vs Mississippi $10,110.
- Out-of-state: Arkansas $27,630 vs Mississippi $24,890.
- Four-year sticker: Arkansas $42,000 vs Mississippi $40,440 (tuition only).
- Add room & board ($13,900/yr) for estimated COA.
- Check 529 plan tax benefits in Arkansas and Mississippi using /529-calculator.
- Explore state financial aid programs (grants, merit scholarships, promise programs).
- Use college net price calculators for personalized aid estimates.
Arkansas vs Mississippi college cost FAQs
Mississippi has lower public 4-year in-state tuition by $390 per year. Arkansas: $10,500/yr in-state (rank #18). Mississippi: $10,110/yr in-state (rank #16). Out-of-state tuition differs by $2,740/year.
Arkansas out-of-state averages $27,630/yr, and Mississippi averages $24,890/yr—a $2,740 gap. Out-of-state premiums: Arkansas +$17,130, Mississippi +$14,780.
Four years of sticker tuition (no room & board): Arkansas ≈ $42,000 in-state, Mississippi ≈ $40,440 in-state. Add room & board (US avg $13,900/yr) for estimated COA.
Both states may offer 529 plan tax benefits. Check our /529-calculator for state-by-state deduction/credit details. Arkansas: AR. Mississippi: MS.
No. These are published sticker tuition and fees for public 4-year in-state and out-of-state. Net price after grants, scholarships, and state aid is typically lower. Local flagship and regional campus costs also vary.
Arkansas public 2-year in-district: $4,839/yr. Mississippi: $4,120/yr (tuition + fees, no room/board).
Most state financial aid programs are limited to residents attending in-state public institutions. A few states (e.g., DC TAG) allow portability. Check your home state's higher education agency for out-of-state eligibility rules.
No. You can keep your existing 529 plan or roll it over to another state's plan. You may lose state tax benefits if you move, but federal tax-free growth and withdrawals remain. Consult a tax advisor for your situation.
Mississippi has lower in-state tuition ($390/yr), but net price after aid may differ. Compare state financial aid programs, 529 tax benefits, and institutional aid packages using college net price calculators.