Alabama State vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Alabama State University and University of Southern Mississippi? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Alabama State University
University of Southern Mississippi

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Alabama State Montgomery, AL
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • Alabama State Midsize City
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Alabama State 4,081
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • Alabama State Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Alabama State #1014
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Alabama State -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • Alabama State Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Alabama State
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Alabama State $11,248
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Alabama State $19,576
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • Alabama State $7,816
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Alabama State $13,138
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Alabama State $11,583
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Alabama State 87%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Alabama State 7,229
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • Alabama State 7,052
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Alabama State 97.6%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Alabama State 15%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alabama State 860
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alabama State 17
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Alabama State 2.95
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Alabama State B
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Alabama State Extremely Easy
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Alabama State
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • Alabama State 15/20
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Alabama State 749/967
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Alabama State Test optional
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Alabama State Jul 31, 2027
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Alabama State 15:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Alabama State
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Alabama State 26%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Alabama State $29,500
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Alabama State 20%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Alabama State $32,091
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Alabama State $331
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Alabama State 36%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • Alabama State 64%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Alabama State Extremely Low
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • Alabama State Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • Alabama State 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • Alabama State 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • Alabama State 93%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • Alabama State 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • Alabama State 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Alabama State 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Alabama State 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • Alabama State 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Alabama State 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Alabama State 43%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Alabama State 52%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Alabama State Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Alabama State No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • Meal Plan
  • Alabama State Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Alabama State No
  • University of Southern Mississippi Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Alabama State No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • Learn More
  • Alabama State Details
  • University of Southern Mississippi Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 4,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

Alabama State vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or University of Southern Mississippi? 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 Alabama State University than University of Southern Mississippi ($13,138 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 34.4% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($7,816 vs. $11,920).
  • Alabama State University is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Mississippi (about $1,250 more per year; $11,248.00 vs. $9,998.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 63.2% higher at Alabama State than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $7,578 more per year; $19,576.00 vs. $11,998.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Alabama State University (95% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 6.3% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($11,583 vs. $10,900).

Alabama State vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or University of Southern Mississippi? 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 University of Southern Mississippi and Alabama State.

  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Alabama State).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Alabama State (97.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

Alabama State vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State and University of Southern Mississippi? 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).

  • University of Southern Mississippi's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Alabama State University's (26%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have a $7,091 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($25,000 vs. $32,091).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($258 vs. $331).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 20%)

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.