Understanding the Out-of-State Tuition Costs at Ole Miss

The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is a public institution founded in 1848. Ranked as #169 in National Universities and #92 in Top Public Schools in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Ole Miss offers a diverse academic environment with a rural setting spanning 3,693 acres. With a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,585 as of fall 2024 and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, the university operates on a semester-based academic calendar and has a test-optional admissions policy, accepting the Common Application. Understanding the cost of attendance is crucial for prospective students and their families, especially for those coming from out of state. This article breaks down the various components of out-of-state tuition costs at Ole Miss, providing a comprehensive overview to aid in financial planning.

General Overview of Tuition and Fees

For the academic year 2025, the tuition and fees at the University of Mississippi are $9,772 for in-state students and $28,600 for out-of-state students. This represents a significant difference, highlighting the importance of understanding the specific costs associated with attending Ole Miss as an out-of-state student. Based on recent trends, the estimated tuition and fees for 2026 are projected to be $10,146 for Mississippi residents and $30,317 for out-of-state students, reflecting an approximate 6.0% increase.

Comprehensive Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance (COA) encompasses all expenses a student is likely to incur during their academic year. For Ole Miss, this includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses. In 2025, the COA for in-state students living on campus is $30,272, while for out-of-state students, it is $49,100. For those opting to live off-campus, the COA is $31,372 for in-state students and $50,200 for out-of-state students.

Key Components of COA:

Tuition and Fees: This is the direct cost of enrollment and access to university resources.
Room and Board: Encompasses housing and dining expenses, which can vary based on the student's choices.
Books and Supplies: Includes the cost of textbooks, course materials, and other academic necessities.
Personal Expenses: This covers miscellaneous costs such as transportation, personal care items, and entertainment.

Detailed Breakdown of Out-of-State Costs

To fully understand the financial commitment, it's essential to break down the various fees and estimated costs for out-of-state students.

Tuition and Mandatory Fees

Tuition: The base tuition charge for the Fall and Spring terms. In 2024-2025, the approximate full-time tuition rate for out-of-state undergraduate students is about $26,820 per year.
Capital Improvements Fee: This fee funds facility construction and improvements and is charged per term to all students on a per-hour, prorated basis, capped at $50 based on the number of full-time hours required by a student’s program of study. The Capital Improvement fee is different for part-time students.
Student Activity Fee: This fee contributes to student programming throughout the academic year.

Housing and Dining

On-Campus Housing: The average UM-managed housing cost for the Fall and Spring terms combined. This number represents the average cost of on-campus housing per year.
Dining: This number represents the estimated cost of dining for the year.

Estimated Costs for Full-Time Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate full-time students are students taking a minimum of 12 credits, excluding students in M.B.A., Accountancy Graduate, and Graduate Online Programs. Full-time enrollment for Accountancy Master’s students is 9-12 hours in fall and spring semesters. The numbers provided represent the estimated cost of attending the University of Mississippi for a full-time student.

Understanding Part-Time Enrollment Costs

For students who do not wish to enroll full-time, Ole Miss offers part-time enrollment options. Part-time students enroll as 3/4 time, 1/2 time, or less than 1/2 time. Tuition prices represented here include full and 1/2 time. Tuition and fees are different for part-time students. The Capital Improvements Fee funds facility construction and improvements. The fee is charged per term to all students on a per-hour, prorated basis capped at $50 based on the number of full-time hours required by a student's program of study. The Capital Improvement fee is different for part-time students. Expenses for Book and Supplies are different for part-time students.

Tuition Per Credit Hour

For part-time and/or full-time students who take additional credits at Ole Miss is $401 for Mississippi residents and $1,185 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $534 for Mississippi residents and $1,579 for out-of-state students.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Recognizing the financial challenges of higher education, the University of Mississippi is committed to making education accessible through various financial aid options.

Financial Aid Statistics

Students Receiving Aid: 85% of undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance.
Pell Grant Recipients: 22% of students receive federal Pell grants for demonstrated financial need.
Average Net Price: The average net price at University of Mississippi is $14,946 per year after grants and scholarships are applied.

Types of Financial Aid

Grants & Scholarships: Gift aid that doesn't need to be repaid. Ole Miss offers a number of scholarships that out-of-state students are eligible for. One such scholarship is The National Recognition Scholarship, which is awarded to out-of-state students who have excelled academically.
Work-Study Programs: Part-time employment opportunities on campus.
Student Loans: Federal and private loan options available.

Available Scholarships

Students with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and an ACT of 24 (or SAT equivalent) are eligible for the Academic Common Market, a program that grants in-state tuition if you are from a participating Southern state and your intended major is not offered in your home state.

Net Price and Affordability

The sticker price represents the total cost before any financial aid is applied. In-state students can expect a sticker price of $9,252 annually for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $9,252. The Net Price is the total cost minus the total aid given. In other words, this is the price you have to pay to the school out of pocket.

Read also: Campus Life at Ole Miss

Net Price by Family Income

Financial aid options and net price vary depending on family income. The university demonstrates a strong commitment to educational accessibility, ensuring that a significant portion of students receive aid to offset costs.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The US government has come up with a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help. Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give you, but it's just a guideline. If the Net Price is higher than the EFC, the school will cost more than you can typically afford.

Long-Term Cost Projections

Understanding the potential costs over a four-year period can provide a clearer picture of the overall investment. Based on recent tuition increase rates, the estimated four-year Cost of Attendance (COA) for students admitted in Fall 2025 is $124,426 for Mississippi residents and $202,938 for out-of-state students. After receiving financial aid, the net price for four years of attending the school is $73,450 for Mississippi residents and $151,962 for out-of-state students.

Projected Costs by Entering Class

Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025): In-State: $73,450, Out-of-State: $151,962
Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026): In-State: $74,809, Out-of-State: $154,630
Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027): In-State: $76,183, Out-of-State: $157,335
Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028): In-State: $77,573, Out-of-State: $160,076
Class of 2033 (Entering Fall 2029): In-State: $78,980, Out-of-State: $162,854

Graduate Tuition

The graduate school tuition at University of Mississippi is $9,772 for in-state and $28,600 for out-of-state students. University of Mississippi has law school and medical school and their tuition is different from other graduate programs, usually higher. The law school tuition is $20,340 for in-state and $27,340 for out-of-state students. The medical school tuition is $37,375.

Additional Considerations

Living Costs

The living costs at Ole Miss is $19,300 when living on campus. The on-campus living costs increased by 5.23% compared to the previous year.

Financial Aid Office

The Office of Financial Aid is committed to helping students understand their options and make informed decisions about funding their education. The university reserves the right to increase or modify fees, tuition, or scholarships without prior notice, upon approval by the Board of Trustees.

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