University of Southern Mississippi
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Net price / year
$21,708
after grants & scholarships
higher than 94% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
99%
Graduation rate
50%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 54% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$48,593
4 years after graduating
lower than 88% of public 4-year colleges
University of Southern Mississippi at a glance
- What is the tuition at University of Southern Mississippi?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $9,998 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $11,998 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at University of Southern Mississippi?
- The average cost of attendance is $26,566 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at University of Southern Mississippi?
- The average net price for in-state students is $21,708 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern Mississippi?
- About 99% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at University of Southern Mississippi?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted ACT scores had a composite of 20–29 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Tests required.
- What is the graduation rate at University of Southern Mississippi?
- 50% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of University of Southern Mississippi earn?
- The median graduate earns $48,593 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- At $21,708 a year, the average net price is higher than 94% of public 4-year colleges.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 4.9 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $19,867 a year on average, versus $26,542 for families earning over $110,000.
- Pell Grant recipients completed within 150% of normal time at a rate of 40%, compared with 50% for all students, a gap of 10 points.
- Graduates earn a median $48,593 four years after finishing, less than 88% of public 4-year colleges.
Tuition and cost of attendance at University of Southern Mississippi
Average net price (in-state)
$21,708 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the University of Southern Mississippi net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$86,832
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $19,867
- $30–48k $20,432
- $48–75k $22,756
- $75–110k $25,812
- $110k+ $26,542
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $26,566
- Tuition & fees$9,998
- Books & supplies$852
- Room & board$11,920
- Other expenses$5,090
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $9,998
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $11,998
University of Southern Mississippi acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Tests required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from University of Southern Mississippi
Graduation rate
50%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
71%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$239
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
4.9 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.5×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 5.9%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 49%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $28,070 · median $44,140 · 75th percentile $66,054
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 6,861 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 3%
- Making progress 6%
- Not making progress 12%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 60%
- Deferment 16%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
6,861 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at University of Southern Mississippi ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample | $89,904 | 1 yr$75,4934 yrs$89,904 | U.S. median $80,890 U.S. middle half $61.2K–$99.3K · Above the U.S. median | $21,208 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians Bachelor's · Graduates: 74 | $82,848 | 1 yr$76,1144 yrs$82,8485 yrs$66,146 | U.S. median $82,320 U.S. middle half $61.2K–$98.9K · Above the U.S. median | $22,875 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $81,740 | — | U.S. median $92,374 U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 214 | $72,411 | 1 yr$70,0684 yrs$72,4115 yrs$72,090 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Below the U.S. median | $24,327 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $70,328 | — | U.S. median $69,830 U.S. middle half $47.7K–$96.2K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $66,142 | — | U.S. median $60,190 U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 105 | $65,861 | 1 yr$40,7644 yrs$65,8615 yrs$53,464 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Below the U.S. median | $18,425 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $63,856 | — | U.S. median $65,120 U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 32 | $55,959 | 1 yr$39,4444 yrs$55,9595 yrs$64,962 | U.S. median $83,343 U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Data Processing Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $55,514 | 1 yr$37,7344 yrs$55,514 | U.S. median $75,978 U.S. middle half $50K–$108.3K · Below the U.S. median | $22,500 |
Show all 42 programs
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 111 | $54,909 | 1 yr$39,0494 yrs$54,9095 yrs$47,967 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $22,506 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $53,436 | — | U.S. median $70,786 U.S. middle half $50.9K–$95.9K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 215 | $52,089 | 1 yr$38,7574 yrs$52,0895 yrs$50,509 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Below the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Security Science and Technology Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $51,956 | 4 yrs$51,9565 yrs$40,317 | U.S. median $57,805 U.S. middle half $41.5K–$76.5K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 84 | $51,714 | 1 yr$40,4964 yrs$51,7145 yrs$60,278 | U.S. median $69,303 U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Below the U.S. median | $19,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 71 | $51,402 | 1 yr$44,7094 yrs$51,4025 yrs$50,793 | U.S. median $68,069 U.S. middle half $50.2K–$90.6K · Below the U.S. median | $21,172 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 44 | $51,381 | 4 yrs$51,3815 yrs$48,228 | U.S. median $58,928 U.S. middle half $45K–$73K · Below the U.S. median | $18,267 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $50,957 | — | U.S. median $55,753 U.S. middle half $40.5K–$68.4K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Legal Support Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $48,196 | — | U.S. median $53,266 U.S. middle half $38.8K–$69.7K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 73 | $47,419 | 1 yr$28,3634 yrs$47,4195 yrs$34,209 | U.S. median $58,808 U.S. middle half $42K–$79.2K · Below the U.S. median | $25,575 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample | $47,150 | — | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections Bachelor's · Graduates: 100 | $46,109 | 1 yr$36,3154 yrs$46,1095 yrs$45,264 | U.S. median $55,378 U.S. middle half $40.2K–$74.4K · Below the U.S. median | $20,183 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 33 | $45,985 | — | U.S. median $56,726 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.8K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 77 | $45,471 | 1 yr$24,1954 yrs$45,4715 yrs$52,007 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Below the U.S. median | $20,548 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 31 | $45,161 | 4 yrs$45,1615 yrs$44,927 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 37 | $45,056 | 1 yr$25,3544 yrs$45,056 | U.S. median $50,983 U.S. middle half $37.1K–$67.2K · Below the U.S. median | $27,518 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Bachelor's · Graduates: 40 | $44,990 | 4 yrs$44,9905 yrs$41,508 | U.S. median $51,389 U.S. middle half $40.5K–$63.1K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 162 | $44,963 | 1 yr$37,8004 yrs$44,963 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median | $25,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $44,586 | 1 yr$30,6844 yrs$44,5865 yrs$38,468 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Below the U.S. median | $25,411 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 72 | $42,390 | 1 yr$28,2624 yrs$42,3905 yrs$41,536 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Below the U.S. median | $27,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 58 | $41,293 | 1 yr$29,5914 yrs$41,2935 yrs$48,425 | U.S. median $56,278 U.S. middle half $40.6K–$73.9K · Below the U.S. median | $25,125 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 53 | $41,095 | 1 yr$26,6194 yrs$41,095 | U.S. median $48,240 U.S. middle half $31.6K–$64.9K · Below the U.S. median | $24,990 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 190 | $40,932 | 1 yr$38,7664 yrs$40,9325 yrs$39,104 | U.S. median $47,382 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Below the U.S. median | $21,924 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample | $40,707 | 4 yrs$40,7075 yrs$50,603 | U.S. median $55,693 U.S. middle half $40.3K–$72.2K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 57 | $39,214 | 4 yrs$39,2145 yrs$38,298 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 33 | $38,599 | — | U.S. median $41,688 U.S. middle half $25.8K–$59.9K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 164 | $37,925 | 1 yr$28,1304 yrs$37,9255 yrs$36,600 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Below the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $36,907 | — | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $36,771 | — | U.S. median $48,842 U.S. middle half $36K–$64.3K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 81 | $33,936 | 1 yr$31,0204 yrs$33,9365 yrs$41,738 | U.S. median $48,568 U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Below the U.S. median | $29,677 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 38 | $30,864 | — | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Library Science and Administration Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $30,340 | — | U.S. median $36,949 U.S. middle half $23.2K–$51.6K · Below the U.S. median | $23,255 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 56.2%
- Black or African American 27.1%
- Hispanic or Latino 4.9%
- Asian 1.4%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.5%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.1%
- Two or more races 3.5%
- U.S. nonresident 4.8%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 1.4%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 37.5%
- Women 62.5%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
18%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 10,075
- Part-time students
- 14%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 46%
- Receive federal loans
- 48%
- Students per faculty member
- 18 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at University of Southern Mississippi?
For the 2024-25 academic year, University of Southern Mississippi reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $9,998 for in-state students and $11,998 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at University of Southern Mississippi?
The average cost of attendance at University of Southern Mississippi is $26,566 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $21,708 a year. That is higher than 94% of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at University of Southern Mississippi get?
46% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 48% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $19,867 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $26,542 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern Mississippi?
University of Southern Mississippi admitted about 99% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of Southern Mississippi?
Among admitted students who submitted ACT scores, the middle 50% had a composite of 20–29 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Tests required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at University of Southern Mississippi?
50% of first-time, full-time students at University of Southern Mississippi finish within 150% of normal time. 71% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do University of Southern Mississippi graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $48,593 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $39,715.
Is University of Southern Mississippi worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For University of Southern Mississippi, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 4.9 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $22,500, about 0.5 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 50% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things