Metropolitan State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Should I go to Metropolitan State University or University of Southern Mississippi? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Metropolitan 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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Metropolitan State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi comparison
Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
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Overview

Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
Location Saint Paul, MN Hattiesburg, MS
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 6,294 13,526
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #874
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website metrostate.edu usm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
Tuition (In State) $8,571 $9,340
Tuition (Out of State) $8,571 $11,340
Room & Board $11,644 $11,338
Avg Net Price $19,347 $14,427
Avg Grant Aid $8,322 $9,296
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 612 9,051
Admitted 500 8,946
Acceptance Rate 81.7% 98.8%
Enrolled % 26.2% 18.2%
Avg High School GPA - 3.5
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
Graduation Rate 29% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,992 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $186 $258

Diversity

Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
% Men 42% 35%
% Women 58% 65%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 54% 61%
% Black 20% 30%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State University University of Southern Mississippi
% In-State 99% 70%
% Out-of-State 1% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern Mississippi is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (13,526 students vs. 6,294 students)

Metropolitan State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Southern Mississippi is 9% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($9,340.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.3% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than Metropolitan State University ($11,340.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Southern Mississippi than Metropolitan State University ($14,427 vs. $19,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Mississippi are 2.7% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($11,338 vs. $11,644)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than University of Southern Mississippi (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 11.7% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($9,296 vs. $8,322)

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

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

  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Metropolitan State University (81.7%)

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

Which is better, Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan State University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Southern Mississippi is higher than Metropolitan State University (47% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $7,500 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $41,700)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $7,008 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates. ($17,992 vs. $25,000)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans than University of Southern Mississippi graduates. ($186 vs. $258)
  • More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Mississippi students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 54%)

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