Alcorn State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Alcorn 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.

Alcorn State University
University of Southern Mississippi

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MS
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • Alcorn State University Distant Rural
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Alcorn State University 2,995
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • Alcorn State University Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Alcorn State University #1002
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Alcorn State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • Alcorn State University Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Website
  • Alcorn State University alcorn.edu
  • University of Southern Mississippi usm.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Alcorn State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Alcorn State University $8,785
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Alcorn State University $8,785
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • Alcorn State University $12,204
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Alcorn State University $12,376
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Alcorn State University $11,375
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Alcorn State University 94%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Alcorn State University Calculate
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Applied
  • Alcorn State University 6,532
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • Alcorn State University 2,961
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Alcorn State University 45.3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Alcorn State University 20.6%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Alcorn State University 830
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • Alcorn State University 17
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Alcorn State University 3.2
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Alcorn State University B+
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Alcorn State University Extremely Easy
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Alcorn State University Low
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • Alcorn State University 15/19
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Alcorn State University 670/998
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Alcorn State University Required
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Alcorn State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Alcorn State University 16:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Alcorn State University
    • Health Professions (19%)
    • Biology (15%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Business (9%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Alcorn State University 33%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Alcorn State University $33,600
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Alcorn State University 34%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Alcorn State University $28,250
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Alcorn State University $292
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Alcorn State University 33%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • Alcorn State University 67%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Alcorn State University Extremely Low
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • Alcorn State University Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • Alcorn State University 3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • Alcorn State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • Alcorn State University 93%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • Alcorn State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • Alcorn State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Alcorn State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Alcorn State University 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • Alcorn State University 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Alcorn State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Alcorn State University 69%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Alcorn State University 30%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Alcorn State University in Alcorn State, MS 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 Alcorn State University based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 2,995 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Alcorn State University is located in Alcorn State, MS (Distant Rural setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Alcorn 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: Alcorn State University 16:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

Alcorn State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alcorn State University 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 Alcorn State University than University of Southern Mississippi ($12,376 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Mississippi are 2.3% lower than at Alcorn State University ($11,920 vs. $12,204).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alcorn State University (about $1,213 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $8,785.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 36.6% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than at Alcorn State University (about $3,213 more per year; $11,998.00 vs. $8,785.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Alcorn State University (95% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alcorn State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($11,375 vs. $10,900).

Alcorn State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alcorn State University 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 Alcorn State University.

  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Alcorn State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alcorn State University 670/998.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alcorn State University 15/19; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alcorn State University - Required; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Alcorn State University (3.2).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Alcorn State University (45.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.6% at Alcorn State University vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

Alcorn State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alcorn State University 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 Alcorn State University's (33%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Alcorn State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Alcorn State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,250).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alcorn State University graduates ($258 vs. $292).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alcorn State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 34%)

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.