- Southwest Mississippi Community College provides academic, career, and continuing education, meeting the diverse needs of the population at a reasonable cost. SMCC provides community services and promotes economic development through consultative and workforce training.
School Highlights
Southwest Mississippi Community College serves 2,299 students (68% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 51%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 2,299 students
- In-state tuition: $2,620
- Out-state tuition: $5,320
- Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
- Minority enrollment: 54%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 207 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Southwest Mississippi Community College
(MS) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Traditional
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & 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
207 staff
371 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Southwest Mississippi Community College has grown by 8% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has increased from 9:1 over five years.
The Southwest Mississippi Community College diversity score of 0.58 is less than the state average of 0.60. The school's diversity has grown by 6% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,299 students
3,804 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
13:1
# Full-Time Students
1,553 students
2,538 students
# Part-Time Students
746 students
1,406 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
229 students
366 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,553 students
2,538 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
746 students
1,845 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
538 students
814 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
1%
% Hispanic
1%
3%
% Black
45%
39%
% White
46%
49%
% Hawaiian
2%
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
3%
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
% Unknown races
2%
5%
Diversity Score
0.58
0.60
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.4315%
0.3884%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$31,100
$30,000
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $2,620 is more than the state average of $2,427. The in-state tuition has declined by 22% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,320 is more than the state average of $4,463. The out-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,620
$2,427
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,320
$4,463
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
94%
91%
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$8,448
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$4,808
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Southwest Mississippi Community College is a two-year college that offers the freshman and sophomore level academic transfer courses, and vocational-technical programs. In 1908, the Mississippi legislature enacted legislation allowing counties to establish agricultural high schools. On April 7, 1916, the Pike County School Board voted to establish such a high school. The ideal spot for the new agricultural high school was Godbold's Mineral Wells, located in a picturesque setting just northeast of Summit. Godbold's Mineral Wells, a state and national resort noted for its mineral waters, had outlived its glory years, yet it proved to be the perfect location for an educational facility. On September 3, 1918, Superintendent James Murray Kenna, six faculty members, and approximately forty students began the Pike County Agricultural High School - an institution destined to become Southwest Mississippi Community College. The original campus consisted of classroom buildings, dormitories, and a comprehensive farm, including dairy, beef, and row-crop operations. Still located on its original site, Southwest continues to grow and develop. The campus, located on a sixty-acre plot, includes twenty-eight buildings, a football stadium, and a baseball field. The buildings are situated around a central lake with walks, bridges, and paths connecting the buildings. The remainder of the approximately 855 acres is now a tree farm. Southwest Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate Degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Southwest Mississippi Community College cost?
Southwest Mississippi Community College's tuition is approximately $2,620 for In-State students and $5,320 for Out-State students.
Recent Articles
Retrain For A New Career In Weeks? Yes!
In as little as three weeks, you could be retrained for a new job through community colleges. Learn about the retraining programs available and how quickly you can gain new skills.
Why Low-Income Community College Students Achieve Success at Universities
Overcoming the odds, low-income community college students are poised to become top performers once they transfer to a four-year university. Learn about the new study that has identified the successful qualities of low-income community college students.
Why Accreditation Matters: Securing Your Educational Investment and Future Career
Accreditation is crucial for college selection, affecting financial aid eligibility, credit transferability, and future employment prospects. This article explains the importance of choosing an accredited institution and provides resources for verifying a school's accreditation status.
