Pearl River Community College
- Pearl River Community College is a public institution committed to providing quality educational and service opportunities for all who seek them.
School Highlights
- Pearl River Community College serves 4,529 students (69% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is lower than the state community college average of 22:1.
- Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 42%.
- Pearl River Community College is the only community colleges within Pearl River County, MS.
- The nearest community college to Pearl River Community College is Northshore Technical Community College (19.0 miles away).
Top Placements
Pearl River Community College places among the top 20% of community colleges in Mississippi for:
- Category Attribute
- Student Earnings Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation)
School Overview
- The teacher population of 373 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
| Pearl River Community College | (MS) Community College Avg. | |
| Institution Level | At least 2 but less than 4 years | At least 2 but less than 4 years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 373 staff | 138 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 4,529 students | 2,966 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 12:1 | 22:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 3,127 students | 2,344 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 1,402 students | 622 students |
 |  | |
| Total Dormitory Capacity | 1,000 | 593 |
| % Hispanic | 1% | 1% |
| % Black | 22% | 36% |
| % White | 74% | 58% |
| % Hawaiian | 1% | - |
| % Unknown races | 2% | 2% |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.40 | 0.53 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 19% | 27% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $32,100 | $29,800 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- Pearl River Community College is the state's oldest publicly funded two-year college. The campus features historic buildings situated on one of the loveliest campuses in the south. A complementary blend of old and new enhances the student's learning experience. Pearl River Community College has two campuses, one in Poplarville and one in Hattiesburg. The main campus at Poplarville is located on U.S. Highway 11. The Forrest County Center is located in Hattiesburg on U.S. Highway 49 South. PRCC was originally founded as the Pearl River County Agricultural High School in 1909 and became the first community college in Mississippi in 1921. Some of the buildings date back from the early 20's, but have been well maintained over the years and serve as landmarks on the modern campus. Academic courses are designed for the student who will go on to a four-year institution to obtain a Bachelor's degree. Technical courses are designed for the student who wants to get a good grounding in his or her preferred field and then go to work after two years of school. Career courses are for the student who wishes to go to school for a year and then go to work.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to Pearl River Community College is Northshore Technical Community College (19.0 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- 3,752 students | 19.00 Mi1710 Sullivan Dr
Bogalusa, LA 70427
(985)732-6640 19.003,752 - 9,799 students | 24.30 Mi51 Main Street
Perkinston, MS 39573
(866)735-1122 24.309,799 - Blue Cliff College-GulfportPrivate, for profit178 students | 42.40 Mi12251 Bernard Pkwy
Gulfport, MS 39503
(228)896-9727 42.40178 - n/a students | 42.50 Mi1000 Canulette Rd
Slidell, LA 70458
(985)646-6431 42.50n/a - 4,455 students | 56.20 Mi900 South Court Street
Ellisville, MS 39437
(601)477-4000 56.204,455
Recent Articles
We continue to report on the ongoing saga in the California community college system. Schools are now opening for fall semester with fewer courses due to serious budget cuts, and students are feeling the academic pain.
The role of community colleges in the world of higher education has expanded over the years and, as the country works to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, they may be more important now than ever. Read on to learn more about the changing role of community colleges.
Colleges across the country are struggling to recover from the massive upheaval to the 2019-20 semester wrought by COVID-19. Housing refunds and slashed budgets are bound to have long-term impacts for the institutions that survive. Some experts suggest community colleges may be the best equipped to ride out the storm and may have the greatest impact in helping America recover.
