Meridian Community College
- The mission of Meridian Community College is to improve the quality of life in our community through excellence in teaching, diverse learning opportunities and services, and visionary leadership.
School Highlights
Meridian Community College serves 3,402 students (67% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the state community college average of 10:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 47%.
Top Rankings
Meridian Community College ranks among the top 20% of community colleges in Mississippi for:
- Category Attribute
- Affordability Least expensive tuition
- Diversity Diversity in US community colleges
- Debt For Students Least debt for graduating students
School Overview
The teacher population of 377 teachers has grown by 17% over five years.
| Meridian Community College | (MS) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Associate's Colleges: High Vocational & Technical-High Traditional | Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-High Traditional |
| Institution Level | At least 2 but less than 4 years | At least 2 but less than 4 years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 377 staff | 371 staff |
| School Calendar | Link to School Calendar | |
Source: 2020 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- Founded in 1937 as the "13th and 14th grades" at Meridian High School, Meridian Community College is the only one of Mississippi's 15 public community colleges to originate through the initiative of the local school system. MCC began as the vision of Dr. H.M. Ivy (1884-1977), superintendent of the Meridian Separate School District in the 1930s. The College, then known as Meridian Junior College, operated at Meridian High School until 1965 when the College moved to its present location. Meridian Community College is a public institution of higher learning dedicated to improving the quality of life in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, and surrounding areas. Through campus-based and distance education programming, MCC serves a diverse student population and accomplishes its mission. The college offers courses leading to the Associate in Arts Degree and/or transfer to senior colleges and universities; Associate of Applied Science Degree and occupational certificate programs, and customized workforce training; continuing education courses designed for personal and/or professional enrichment and adult basic and developmental education programs designed to equip students for expanded opportunities. Faculty and students participating in distance learning courses interact through phone, e-mail, discussion boards, chat rooms, and face to face meetings. These courses meet the same educational requirements as the traditional classroom, just in a more flexible format. Meridian Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate in Arts and the Associate of Applied Science Degrees. MCC holds membership in the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, the Mississippi Community and Junior College Association, the Mississippi Association of Colleges and the Southern Association of Community and Junior Colleges. Additionally, MCC is officially recognized by various occupational accrediting agencies, such as the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Meridian Community College is East Central Community College (22.9 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- 2,419 students | 22.90 Mi15738 Highway 15
Decatur, MS 39327
(601) 635-2111 22.902,419 - 3,832 students | 35.50 Mi1512 Kemper Street
Scooba, MS 39358
(662) 476-5000 35.503,832 - 4,536 students | 59.40 Mi900 South Court Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601) 477-4000 59.404,536 - Holmes Community CollegePublic5,529 students | 80.30 Mi#1 Hill St
Goodman, MS 39079
(662) 472-2312 80.305,529 - 409 students | 84.40 Mi1101 Washington St
Marion, AL 36756
(800) 664-1842 84.40409
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