University of Southern Mississippi is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It enrolls 10,075 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
53/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes31
Value21
Affordability61
Selectivity25
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 99.1%, University of Southern Mississippi is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
99.1%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
20 – 29
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyRequiredSAT or ACT scores must be submitted with the application.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Southern Mississippi is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
2.4 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Southern Mississippi isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $21,708 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$21,708
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
46%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
48%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,998
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$11,998
Room & Board (on-campus)
$11,920
Room & Board (off-campus)
$10,322
Books & Supplies
$852
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$5,090
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,308
Total Cost of Attendance
$26,566
Application fee: $45 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$19,867
$30,001 – $48,000
$20,432
$48,001 – $75,000
$22,756
$75,001 – $110,000
$25,812
Over $110,000
$26,542
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,62510%percentile
$6,50025%percentile
$22,500Medianpercentile
$29,06675%percentile
$41,27890%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $15,000
↓ $7,500
No Pell $12,000
↓ $10,500
Dependent students $13,000
↓ $9,500
Independent students $18,474
↓ $4,026
Female students $14,729
↓ $7,771
Male students $13,565
↓ $8,935
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,750, less than completers ($22,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
38% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Southern Mississippi graduate within six years, and 71% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
38%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
71%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $44,140 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$44,140
Earning > $25K
73%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$36,700
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$51,700
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$39,900
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$44,300
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$46,300
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $15,000, about 29% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
11.8 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 77% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Southern Mississippi is home to 10,075 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 33% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
10,075
Part-Time
14%
First-Generation
33%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 56.2%5,664
Black 27.1%2,734
Hispanic 4.9%497
International 4.8%483
Other 4.1%416
Asian 1.4%144
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Southern Mississippi. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Small CityHattiesburg, Mississippi
Housing
Partly residential3,539 beds available
Adult Learners
18%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Southern Mississippi offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
140 distinct programs across
27 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Southern Mississippi is 15:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
15:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$9,864
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$140M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$74,980
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
668 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
145
22%
$95,821
Associate Professors
183
27%
$76,967
Assistant Professors
225
34%
$69,255
Instructors
94
14%
$56,981
Lecturers
21
3%
$55,683
Pros & Cons of University of Southern Mississippi
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Southern Mississippi tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
CONS
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Southern Mississippi is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Southern Mississippi
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Southern Mississippi.
Is University of Southern Mississippi hard to get into?
University of Southern Mississippi has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 99.1%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern Mississippi?
University of Southern Mississippi has an acceptance rate of 99.1%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Southern Mississippi?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Southern Mississippi scored between 20 and 29 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Southern Mississippi cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Southern Mississippi is $21,708 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Southern Mississippi worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $44,140 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $21,708 per year. That's roughly 2.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Southern Mississippi known for?
University of Southern Mississippi is best known for its programs in Teacher Education (K-12), Business Administration, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Southern Mississippi graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Southern Mississippi are $44,140, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Southern Mississippi accredited?
Yes. University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend University of Southern Mississippi?
University of Southern Mississippi enrolls 10,075 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Southern Mississippi?
University of Southern Mississippi graduates 38% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Southern Mississippi a public or private college?
University of Southern Mississippi is a Public institution.
Where is University of Southern Mississippi located?
University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
What programs does University of Southern Mississippi offer?
University of Southern Mississippi offers 140 distinct programs. The most popular include Teacher Education (K-12), Business Administration, Nursing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Southern Mississippi?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Southern Mississippi is 15:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Mississippi
Other colleges in Mississippi share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Biology
Business Administration
Business Administration
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