KSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Kennesaw 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

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • KSU 47,764
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • KSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • KSU -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • KSU Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • KSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • KSU $5,808
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • KSU $17,736
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • KSU $13,287
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • KSU $15,636
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • KSU $8,223
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • KSU 92%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • KSU 34,680
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • KSU 23,995
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • KSU 69.2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • KSU 38%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • KSU 1110
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • KSU 22
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • KSU 3.33
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • KSU B+
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • KSU Moderate
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • KSU Low
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • KSU 19/26
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • KSU 1000/1220
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • KSU Required
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • KSU 23:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • KSU
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • KSU -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • KSU N/A
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • KSU 53%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • KSU $21,200
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • KSU $219
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • KSU 49%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • KSU 51%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • KSU High
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • KSU No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • KSU 58%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • KSU 4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • KSU 20%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • KSU 9%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • KSU 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • KSU 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • KSU 4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • KSU 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • KSU 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • KSU 96%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • KSU 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Kennesaw State University is larger than University of Southern Mississippi based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 13,170 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kennesaw State University is located in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Kennesaw 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: Kennesaw State University 23:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

KSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KSU 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 KSU ($15,095 vs. $15,636).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Mississippi are 10.3% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($11,920 vs. $13,287).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 72.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than KSU (about $4,190 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $5,808.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.8% higher at KSU than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $5,738 more per year; $17,736.00 vs. $11,998.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Kennesaw State University (95% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 32.6% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($10,900 vs. $8,223).

KSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KSU 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 KSU.

  • Incoming KSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at University of Southern Mississippi (22).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kennesaw State University 19/26; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KSU - Required; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at KSU (3.33).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than KSU (69.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at KSU vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

KSU vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KSU 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).

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $3,800 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($21,200 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($219 vs. $258).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 53%)

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.