Mississippi Valley State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Mississippi Valley 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.

Mississippi Valley State University
University of Southern Mississippi

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • Mississippi Valley State University Remote Town
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2,205
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • Mississippi Valley State University Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Mississippi Valley State University #1005
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Mississippi Valley State University -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • Mississippi Valley State University Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Website
  • Mississippi Valley State University mvsu.edu
  • University of Southern Mississippi usm.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Mississippi Valley State University $7,692
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • Mississippi Valley State University $8,956
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,232
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Mississippi Valley State University $10,933
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Mississippi Valley State University 100%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Mississippi Valley State University Calculate
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Applied
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,141
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1,054
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Mississippi Valley State University 92.4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Mississippi Valley State University 32.3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mississippi Valley State University 17
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Mississippi Valley State University 2.9
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Mississippi Valley State University B
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Mississippi Valley State University Extremely Easy
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13/22
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Mississippi Valley State University Test optional
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Mississippi Valley State University
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Mississippi Valley State University 13:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Mississippi Valley State University
    • Education (29%)
    • Business (23%)
    • Human Services (19%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Mississippi Valley State University 24%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Mississippi Valley State University $26,600
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Mississippi Valley State University 35%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Mississippi Valley State University $29,336
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Mississippi Valley State University $303
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Mississippi Valley State University 47%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • Mississippi Valley State University 53%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Mississippi Valley State University Extremely Low
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • Mississippi Valley State University Yes
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • Mississippi Valley State University 3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • Mississippi Valley State University 92%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • Mississippi Valley State University 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • Mississippi Valley State University 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Mississippi Valley State University 4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Mississippi Valley State University 40%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Mississippi Valley State University 57%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS 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 Mississippi Valley State University based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 2,205 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mississippi Valley State University is located in Itta Bena, MS (Remote Town setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Mississippi Valley 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: Mississippi Valley State University 13:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

Mississippi Valley State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi Valley 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 Mississippi Valley State University than University of Southern Mississippi ($10,232 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi Valley State University are 24.9% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($8,956 vs. $11,920).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi Valley State University (about $2,306 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $7,692.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 56% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than at Mississippi Valley State University (about $4,306 more per year; $11,998.00 vs. $7,692.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi Valley State University than at University of Southern Mississippi (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi Valley State University students is 0.3% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($10,933 vs. $10,900).

Mississippi Valley State University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi Valley 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 Mississippi Valley State University.

  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Mississippi Valley State University).
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi Valley State University 13/22; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi Valley State University - Test optional; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Mississippi Valley State University (2.9).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Mississippi Valley State University (92.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.3% at Mississippi Valley State University vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi Valley 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 Mississippi Valley State University's (24%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Mississippi Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $26,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have a $4,336 lower median loan debt than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $29,336).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi Valley State University graduates ($258 vs. $303).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 35%)

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.