Metropolitan State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Metropolitan 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.

Metropolitan State University
University of Southern Mississippi

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University Large City
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University 6,660
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University $9,840
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University $9,840
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University $15,864
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University $16,615
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University $8,538
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University 82%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Metropolitan State University Calculate
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University 698
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University 689
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University 98.7%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University 33.8%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University Unavailable
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University Test optional
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University 15:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Metropolitan State University
    • Business (33%)
    • General Studies (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University 43%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University 57%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University High
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University 54%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University 13%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University 20%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University 5%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University 4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University 99%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN 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 Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Metropolitan 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: Metropolitan State University 15:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan State University ($15,095 vs. $16,615).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Mississippi are 24.9% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($11,920 vs. $15,864).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $158 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $9,840.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than at Metropolitan State University (about $2,158 more per year; $11,998.00 vs. $9,840.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Metropolitan State University (95% vs. 82%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($10,900 vs. $8,538).

Metropolitan State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

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

  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Metropolitan State University (98.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Metropolitan State University vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

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

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan State University's (29%).
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $7,008 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($17,992 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.