MCC vs. Pearl River Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Meridian Community College in Meridian, MS with Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pearl River Community College is larger than MCC based on total student enrollment (6,011 students vs. 2,780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Meridian Community College is located in Meridian, MS (Remote Town setting); Pearl River Community College is in Poplarville, MS (Remote Rural setting).
• Meridian Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pearl River Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Meridian Community College 16:1; Pearl River Community College 26:1.

MCC vs. Pearl River Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCC or Pearl River Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pearl River Community College than MCC ($7,170 vs. $7,789).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Meridian Community College are 3.2% lower than at Pearl River Community College ($5,520 vs. $5,702).
• Meridian Community College is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pearl River Community College (about $378 more per year; $4,078.00 vs. $3,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at MCC than at Pearl River Community College (about $378 more per year; $6,478.00 vs. $6,100.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Meridian Community College as at Pearl River Community College (94% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pearl River Community College students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Meridian Community College students ($7,374 vs. $6,244).

MCC vs. Pearl River Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCC or Pearl River Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pearl River Community College and MCC.

• Meridian Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCC - Open admission; Pearl River Community College - Not reported.

MCC vs. Pearl River Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCC and Pearl River Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Pearl River Community College earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than MCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,700 vs. $30,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Meridian Community College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Pearl River Community College graduates ($5,500 vs. $7,000).
• Among borrowers, MCC graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pearl River Community College graduates ($56 vs. $72).
• More Pearl River Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCC students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.