GSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Governors 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.

University of Southern Mississippi

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • GSU University Park, IL
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • GSU Rural Fringe
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • GSU 4,397
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • GSU Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • GSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • GSU -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • GSU Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • GSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • GSU $12,004
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • GSU $12,004
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • GSU $11,736
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • GSU $12,756
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • GSU $11,455
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • GSU 81%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • GSU 2,944
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • GSU 1,421
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • GSU 48.3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • GSU 16.8%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GSU 950
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • GSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • GSU 4.0
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • GSU A/A+
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • GSU Extremely Easy
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • GSU Low
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • GSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • GSU 830/1060
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • GSU Test optional
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • GSU Apr 1, 2027
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • GSU 11:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • GSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • GSU -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • GSU $42,600
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • GSU 48%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • GSU $17,250
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • GSU $178
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • GSU 36%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • GSU 64%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • GSU High
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • GSU No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • GSU 36%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • GSU 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • GSU 38%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • GSU 11%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • GSU 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • GSU 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • GSU 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • GSU 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • GSU 9%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • GSU 95%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • GSU 3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • GSU Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • GSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • Meal Plan
  • GSU Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • GSU Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • GSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi No

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, IL 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 GSU based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Governors 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: Governors State University 11:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

GSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU 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 Governors State University than University of Southern Mississippi ($12,756 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 1.5% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($11,736 vs. $11,920).
  • Governors State University is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Mississippi (about $2,006 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $9,998.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at GSU than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $6 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $11,998.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Governors State University (95% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 5.1% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($11,455 vs. $10,900).

GSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU.

  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at University of Southern Mississippi (3.5).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than GSU (48.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

GSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU 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).

  • Graduates from Governors State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($17,250 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($178 vs. $258).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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.