Henderson State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Henderson 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.

Henderson State University
University of Southern Mississippi

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • Henderson State University Distant Town
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Henderson State University 2,055
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • Henderson State University Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Henderson State University #1024
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Henderson State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • Henderson State University Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Website
  • Henderson State University hsu.edu
  • University of Southern Mississippi usm.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Henderson State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Henderson State University $8,244
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Henderson State University $10,620
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • Henderson State University $10,000
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Henderson State University $20,444
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University $7,867
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University 98%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Henderson State University Calculate
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Applied
  • Henderson State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • Henderson State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Henderson State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Henderson State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Henderson State University 990
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • Henderson State University 18
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Henderson State University 3.23
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Henderson State University B+
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Henderson State University Extremely Easy
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Henderson State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • Henderson State University 16/21
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Henderson State University 903/1073
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Henderson State University Not reported
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Henderson State University 14:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Henderson State University
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Henderson State University 31%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Henderson State University $38,400
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Henderson State University 48%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Henderson State University $19,500
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Henderson State University $201
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Henderson State University 41%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • Henderson State University 59%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Henderson State University Medium
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • Henderson State University No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • Henderson State University 66%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • Henderson State University 24%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Henderson State University 74%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Henderson State University 23%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR 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 Henderson State University based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 2,055 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Henderson 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: Henderson State University 14:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

Henderson State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson 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 University of Southern Mississippi than Henderson State University ($15,095 vs. $20,444).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Henderson State University are 16.1% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($10,000 vs. $11,920).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Henderson State University (about $1,754 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $8,244.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than at Henderson State University (about $1,378 more per year; $11,998.00 vs. $10,620.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Henderson State University than at University of Southern Mississippi (98% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 38.6% larger than aid received by Henderson State University students ($10,900 vs. $7,867).

Henderson State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

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

  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Henderson State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 903/1073.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 16/21; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Henderson State University - Not reported; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Henderson State University (3.23).

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

How do outcomes compare for Henderson 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 Henderson State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Henderson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($201 vs. $258).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Henderson State University 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.