Mississippi — The Magnolia State
Coahoma Community College has a net price of negative $270 — students receive money back after grants. Mississippi Gulf Coast CC offers CNA training for just $700. With 13,600 CNAs employed and 11% job growth, the Magnolia State needs you.
Mississippi employs 13,600 certified nursing assistants with CNA jobs projected to grow 11% — driven by an aging population and expanding long-term care needs across the state. Training costs are among the most affordable in the South, with community college programs running $500–$1,200 and some programs where financial aid covers costs entirely — and then some. Jackson leads the state in CNA employment with 2,810 positions, followed by the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula area with 1,190 jobs.
Program costs & details
Mississippi requires a minimum of 75 training hours — at the federal minimum — making it one of the fastest states to certify. Programs run 4–10 weeks and cost $500–$1,750 before financial aid. Community college programs with Pell Grant eligibility can bring the net cost to zero or below. The complete approved program list is available at the Mississippi State Department of Health website.
| School / Program | Location | Cost / Net Price | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coahoma Community College | Clarksdale (Delta region) | Net price: -$270 (money back after grants) | 4–8 weeks | In-person — campus-based |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) | Gulfport / Biloxi / Gautier | $700 total (100 hours) | ~9 weeks (evening classes twice weekly) | Hybrid — 84hrs online/on-campus + 16hrs clinical |
| Hinds Community College | Raymond / Jackson area | ~$500–$800 | 4–8 weeks | In-person — multiple Jackson area campuses |
| East Mississippi Community College | Scooba / Mayhew / Columbus | ~$600–$900 | 4–8 weeks | In-person — CNA-to-LPN bridge available |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Wesson / Natchez / Simpson County | ~$500–$800 | 4–8 weeks | In-person — multiple southwest MS campuses |
| Private Training Centers (Access Training Inc. & others) | Jackson & statewide | ~$700–$1,750 | 4–6 weeks | In-person accelerated — day and evening options |
| Employer-Sponsored Programs | Statewide | FREE (federal requirement) | Varies | On-the-job — nursing homes pay upfront, hire on completion |
Coahoma Community College in the Mississippi Delta has a reported CNA program net price of negative $270 — meaning after Pell Grants and other financial aid are applied, eligible students not only pay nothing for tuition but actually receive money back. This is only possible when financial aid award amounts exceed the total cost of the program. If you're in the Delta region or income-eligible, Coahoma should be your first call. Coahoma's low tuition paired with high Pell Grant eligibility among its student population creates this rare financial outcome.
Mississippi uses the NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) administered by Headmaster LLP through the TMU portal. The exam has two parts: a written/oral knowledge test and a skills evaluation where you perform 5 randomly selected skills. You may work in a nursing facility for up to 4 months while enrolled in your training program before passing the exam — one of the most flexible state policies in the country. Contact the MSDH Nurse Aide Program at (601) 364-2718 with registry questions.
2026 salary data
Mississippi CNA base wages are among the lower in the South — BLS reports a median of $25,164/year statewide. However job posting data from ZipRecruiter shows active postings averaging higher, and Mississippi's 16% below-national-average cost of living significantly increases real purchasing power. Hospital and urban positions pay notably more than nursing home averages.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $13–$18/hr | ~$27,040–$37,440 | Largest city, 2,810 CNA jobs — most concentrated market in MS |
| Gulfport / Biloxi / Pascagoula | $13–$18/hr | ~$27,040–$37,440 | Gulf Coast casino economy, 1,190 CNA jobs — top 10% earn $39,000+/yr |
| Hattiesburg | $13–$17/hr | ~$27,040–$35,360 | Forrest General Hospital, 710 CNA jobs — university community |
| Tupelo | $13–$17/hr | ~$27,040–$35,360 | North Mississippi Medical Center — largest non-metro hospital in MS |
| Meridian | $12–$16/hr | ~$24,960–$33,280 | Anderson Regional Medical Center — steady east Mississippi demand |
| Clarksdale / Delta Region | $12–$16/hr | ~$24,960–$33,280 | Ultra-low COL — Coahoma CC free program makes entry cost zero |
| Hospital CNAs (statewide) | $15–$20/hr | ~$31,200–$41,600 | Hospital positions pay significantly more than nursing home averages |
Sources: BLS OES, ZipRecruiter MS postings (April 2026), CNAClasses.com (2026). Hospital positions pay more than nursing home averages. Mississippi's 16% below-national COL increases real purchasing power across all salary levels.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Several Mississippi community colleges offer seamless CNA-to-LPN bridge programs that credit your CNA training and clinical hours toward LPN requirements. LPN programs run 12–18 months with a median salary substantially higher than CNA wages — making the bridge the clearest financial step available.
75 hours minimum. NNAAP exam via Headmaster/TMU. MSDH registry. 4–10 weeks. Can work 4 months at facility during training — unique MS policy.
Hinds CC, East MS CC, Pearl River CC, Holmes CC and others — CNA-to-LPN bridge programs credit prior training. ~12–18 months. Median MS LPN salary significantly above CNA wages.
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi College, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, and others. ADN and BSN programs. UMMC offers LPN-to-RN bridge. MS RN wages substantially above LPN.
For moms in Mississippi