Degree Dividend
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Belhaven University vs Mississippi Valley State University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Jackson MS · vs · Public, Itta Bena MS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Belhaven University comes closer — median earnings $46,440 against a $62,704 total, vs $31,919 at Mississippi Valley State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBelhaven UniversityMississippi Valley State University
Net price / yr$15,676$9,686
Total net cost$62,704$38,744
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,440$31,919
Median debt$26,333$28,413
Payback
20-year net return-$101,104-$367,564

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Belhaven University or Mississippi Valley State University?

Mississippi Valley State University, at $9,686 a year after aid versus $15,676 — a gap of $5,990 a year, or $23,960 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Belhaven University or Mississippi Valley State University graduates earn more?

Belhaven University graduates report a median $46,440 ten years after entry, $14,521 more than the $31,919 at Mississippi Valley State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Belhaven University or Mississippi Valley State University?

Belhaven University: its completers carry a median $26,333 in federal loans versus $28,413 at Mississippi Valley State University, a difference of $2,080. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Belhaven University, against 27% at Mississippi Valley State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Belhaven University vs Mississippi Valley State University: frequently asked questions

Is Belhaven University or Mississippi Valley State University a better value?
Belhaven University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Belhaven University or Mississippi Valley State University?
Mississippi Valley State University: $9,686/yr net price after aid versus $15,676/yr at Belhaven University — a difference of $5,990 a year, or about $23,960 over four years.
Do Belhaven University or Mississippi Valley State University graduates earn more?
Belhaven University graduates earn a median $46,440 ten years after entry, versus $31,919 at Mississippi Valley State University — a $14,521 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.