The best master's in human resources programs in Mississippi reveals that HR Managers earn a median salary of $140,030 with 5% projected job growth through 2034 (BLS OES 2024). Top-ranked Master's HR programs include Mississippi State University, Belhaven University, Jackson State University based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes.
$140,030
HR Manager Median Salary
8%
HR Specialist Job Growth
400+
SHRM-Aligned Programs
200K+
Certified HR Professionals
Master's in Human Resources Programs in Mississippi: Overview
Mississippi's master's-level HR market is concentrated in three employment clusters: the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) in Jackson, which employs over 10,000 people and requires sophisticated workforce planning for clinical staff; Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, which builds Navy destroyers and amphibious assault ships with a workforce of 11,000+ requiring security clearance management and federal labor compliance; and the state government apparatus in Jackson, which manages HR for roughly 30,000 state employees across multiple agencies. These three employers represent the primary demand centers for strategic HR leadership in Mississippi, and each requires distinct expertise that a general HR background alone does not provide.
A master's in human resources in Mississippi prepares graduates for senior generalist, director, and HRBP roles at these anchor employers. Mississippi State University and the University of Mississippi offer the state's strongest graduate business programs, both AACSB-accredited, with graduates entering roles that combine strategic planning with the operational realities of managing large hourly workforces in manufacturing and healthcare settings. Jackson State University provides a public administration focus that connects directly to state government HR leadership. The University of Southern Mississippi offers additional graduate options with strength in workforce development and organizational psychology, relevant to employers addressing the state's persistent talent pipeline challenges.
HR managers in Mississippi earn a median salary of $105,380 (BLS OES May 2024), but master's-level professionals at anchor employers earn well above this baseline. HR directors at UMMC earn $130,000-$160,000, and Ingalls Shipbuilding's HR leadership roles pay $120,000-$150,000 with defense contractor benefits packages that include strong retirement and healthcare coverage. Mississippi's low cost of living makes these salaries exceptionally competitive in real purchasing power terms: a $140,000 salary in Jackson provides lifestyle equivalence to roughly $185,000 in Atlanta or $220,000 in Washington, DC. For master's graduates willing to invest in Mississippi's anchor employers, the financial value proposition is stronger than many assume.
Mississippi HR Master's Comparison
HR Industry Tracks in Mississippi
Setting workforce strategy for multi-site health systems, managing physician recruitment and retention incentives, addressing nursing shortage through pipeline programs with Mississippi nursing schools, and navigating CMS staffing requirements.
Designing workforce plans for Navy shipbuilding programs with multi-year production timelines, managing cleared workforce pipelines, negotiating with skilled trades unions, and coordinating apprenticeship programs with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Managing the Mississippi State Personnel Board classification system, designing pay-for-performance frameworks within civil service constraints, and leading workforce modernization initiatives for state agencies.
Mississippi State University
Why #1: Mississippi State University
Scored 74.6/100 on the HR Program Quality Index, which evaluates program output, curriculum quality (including SHRM alignment), student success, institutional resources, and data transparency using IPEDS 2023 data.
Ranked #1 in Mississippi for master's human resources programs with a score of 74.6/100, based on program output, curriculum quality, student success, and institutional resources according to IPEDS 2023 data.
Program Highlights
- 256 annual HR graduates
Key Strengths
- 256 annual HR graduates
Belhaven University
Why #2: Belhaven University
Scored 70.7/100 on the HR Program Quality Index, which evaluates program output, curriculum quality (including SHRM alignment), student success, institutional resources, and data transparency using IPEDS 2023 data.
Ranked #2 in Mississippi for master's human resources programs with a score of 70.7/100, based on program output, curriculum quality, student success, and institutional resources according to IPEDS 2023 data.
Program Highlights
- 231 annual HR graduates
Key Strengths
- 231 annual HR graduates
Jackson State University
Why #3: Jackson State University
Scored 58.9/100 on the HR Program Quality Index, which evaluates program output, curriculum quality (including SHRM alignment), student success, institutional resources, and data transparency using IPEDS 2023 data.
Ranked #3 in Mississippi for master's human resources programs with a score of 58.9/100, based on program output, curriculum quality, student success, and institutional resources according to IPEDS 2023 data.
Program Highlights
- 55 annual HR graduates
Key Strengths
- 55 annual HR graduates
| 1 | Mississippi State University | Mississippi State, MS | Public | $9,665 | 9200% | 256 | 74.6 |
| 2 | Belhaven University | Jackson, MS | Private | $28,800 | 9500% | 231 | 70.7 |
| 3 | Jackson State University | Jackson, MS | Public | $8,520 | 10000% | 55 | 58.9 |
| 4 | University of Mississippi | University, MS | Public | $9,252 | 7000% | 95 | 58.3 |
| 5 | Mississippi College | Clinton, MS | Private | $20,246 | 8400% | 20 | 53.8 |
| 6 | William Carey University | Hattiesburg, MS | Private | $13,500 | 8300% | 25 | 53.5 |
| 7 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, MS | Public | $9,508 | — | 91 | 51.8 |
| 8 | Delta State University | Cleveland, MS | Public | $8,435 | — | 60 | 43.3 |
| 9 | Millsaps College | Jackson, MS | Private | $40,940 | — | 20 | 42.5 |
| 10 | Alcorn State University | Alcorn State, MS | Public | $7,869 | — | 6 | 41 |
| 11 | Mississippi Valley State University | Itta Bena, MS | Public | $7,892 | — | 15 | 39.8 |
| 12 | Mississippi University for Women | Columbus, MS | Public | $7,992 | — | 18 | 36.3 |
| 13 | Blue Mountain Christian University | Blue Mountain, MS | Private | $19,120 | — | 17 | 35.3 |
| 14 | Strayer University-Mississippi | Jackson, MS | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 12 | 28.6 |
Career Paths
Entry-level role handling recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, and employee records.
Leads HR department operations, develops policies, manages staff, and advises leadership on workforce strategy.
Designs pay structures, conducts salary surveys, ensures pay equity compliance.
Designs and delivers employee training programs, assesses skill gaps.
Strategic role aligning HR initiatives with business goals.
Mississippi HR Master's Programs FAQ
Master's in Human Resources Programs in Nearby States
HR completions volume, CIP breadth, multi-level depth
SHRM alignment (+15), AACSB (+10) or ACBSP (+5)
IPEDS 6-year graduation rate
Carnegie 2021 classification
IPEDS reporting completeness
Data Sources & Methodology
Rankings based on the 5-factor HR Program Quality Index: Program Output (30%), Curriculum Quality including SHRM alignment (25%), Student Success (25%), Institutional Resources (15%), and Data Transparency (5%). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES May 2024.
- 1.IPEDS 2023 — Program completions, tuition, enrollment, and graduation rates
- 2.Bureau of Labor Statistics OES 2024 — Occupational employment and wage statistics for HR roles
- 3.SHRM — HR curriculum standards and certification requirements
Last updated: February 2026
Related HR Master's Degree Resources
Taylor Rupe
Education Researcher & Data Analyst
B.A. Psychology, University of Washington · B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State University
Taylor combines training in behavioral science with data analysis to evaluate HR education programs. His research methodology uses IPEDS completion data, BLS employment statistics, and SHRM alignment data to produce evidence-based program rankings.