Clayton State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Should I go to Clayton State University or University of Southern Mississippi? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or University of Southern Mississippi is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clayton State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi comparison
Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi College 3 College 4
Clayton  State University University of Southern Mississippi
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Overview

Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi
Location Morrow, GA Hattiesburg, MS
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,847 13,526
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #874
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu usm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $9,340
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $11,340
Room & Board $10,980 $11,338
Avg Net Price $9,792 $14,427
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $9,296
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 9,051
Admitted 1,270 8,946
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 98.8%
Enrolled % 45.6% 18.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 19/26
SAT Range 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 17, 2025

Academics

Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi
Graduation Rate 27% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $284 $258

Diversity

Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi
% Men 31% 35%
% Women 69% 65%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 18% 61%
% Black 66% 30%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Clayton State University University of Southern Mississippi
% In-State 93% 70%
% Out-of-State 4% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern Mississippi is larger than than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (13,526 students vs. 5,847 students)

Clayton State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or University of Southern Mississippi?

  • University of Southern Mississippi is 129.8% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($9,340.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.4% higher at Clayton State University than University of Southern Mississippi ($14,786.00 vs. $11,340.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than University of Southern Mississippi ($9,792 vs. $14,427)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clayton State University are 3.3% lower than costs at University of Southern Mississippi ($10,980 vs. $11,338)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University than University of Southern Mississippi (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 9% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($9,296 vs. $8,529)

Clayton State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or University of Southern Mississippi? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Southern Mississippi or Clayton State University .

  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Clayton State University (56.3%)

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

Which is better, Clayton State University or University of Southern Mississippi? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Southern Mississippi and Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Southern Mississippi is higher than Clayton State University (47% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $100 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $41,700)
  • University of Southern Mississippi students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,500)
  • University of Southern Mississippi graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($258 vs. $284)
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/