Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Southern Mississippi

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

Northeastern Illinois University University of Southern Mississippi
Location Chicago, IL Hattiesburg, MS
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 5,756 13,526
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #874
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu usm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University University of Southern Mississippi
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $9,340
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $11,340
Room & Board $10,742 $11,338
Avg Net Price $14,262 $14,427
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $9,296
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 91%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University University of Southern Mississippi
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 9,051
Admitted 2,886 8,946
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 98.8%
Enrolled % 17.9% 18.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/21 19/26
SAT Range 810/1010
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University University of Southern Mississippi
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University University of Southern Mississippi
Graduation Rate 23% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $41,700
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $149 $258

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University University of Southern Mississippi
% Men 39% 35%
% Women 61% 65%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 33% 61%
% Black 10% 30%
% Hispanic 37% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University University of Southern Mississippi
% In-State 97% 70%
% Out-of-State 2% 27%

Campus

Northeastern Illinois 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 Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern Mississippi is larger than than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (13,526 students vs. 5,756 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or University of Southern Mississippi?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 8% more expensive to attend than University of Southern Mississippi for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $9,340.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Southern Mississippi ($20,182.00 vs. $11,340.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northeastern Illinois University than University of Southern Mississippi ($14,262 vs. $14,427)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 5.5% lower than costs at University of Southern Mississippi ($10,742 vs. $11,338)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than Northeastern Illinois University (91% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 62.9% larger than aid received University of Southern Mississippi ($15,143 vs. $9,296)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Southern Mississippi (1049) is 179 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at University of Southern Mississippi is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (47% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn on average $1,700 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($41,700 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $10,500 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates. ($14,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $109 less per month on federal student loans than University of Southern Mississippi graduates. ($149 vs. $258)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Mississippi students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 54%)

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