Pensacola State vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Pensacola State College 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

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Pensacola State Pensacola, FL
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • Pensacola State Small City
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Pensacola State 9,491
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • Pensacola State Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Pensacola State
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Pensacola State -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • Pensacola State Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Pensacola State
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Pensacola State $2,361
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Pensacola State $9,460
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • Pensacola State $17,556
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Pensacola State $5,376
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Pensacola State $6,499
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Pensacola State 80%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Pensacola State Calculate
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Applied
  • Pensacola State -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • Pensacola State -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Pensacola State Open
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Pensacola State Open
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Pensacola State
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • Pensacola State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Pensacola State 2.54
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Pensacola State B-
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Pensacola State Unavailable
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Pensacola State
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • Pensacola State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Pensacola State
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Pensacola State Open admission
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Pensacola State Aug 30, 2027
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Pensacola State 25:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Pensacola State
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (53%)
    • Health Professions (25%)
    • Personal and Culinary Services (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (3%)
    • Engineering Technology (3%)
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Pensacola State -
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Pensacola State $30,300
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Pensacola State 46%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Pensacola State $3,500
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Pensacola State $36
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Pensacola State 35%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • Pensacola State 65%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Pensacola State Medium
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • Pensacola State No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • Pensacola State 66%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • Pensacola State 3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • Pensacola State 16%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • Pensacola State 6%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • Pensacola State 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Pensacola State 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Pensacola State 5%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • Pensacola State 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Pensacola State 2%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Pensacola State 91%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Pensacola State 4%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Pensacola State College in Pensacola, FL 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 Pensacola State based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 9,491 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Pensacola State College is located in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Pensacola State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Pensacola State College 25:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

Pensacola State vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pensacola State 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 Pensacola State College than University of Southern Mississippi ($5,376 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Mississippi are 32.1% lower than at Pensacola State College ($11,920 vs. $17,556).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 323.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pensacola State (about $7,637 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $2,361.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than at Pensacola State College (about $2,538 more per year; $11,998.00 vs. $9,460.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Pensacola State College (95% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 67.7% larger than aid received by Pensacola State College students ($10,900 vs. $6,499).

Pensacola State vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pensacola State 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 Pensacola State.

  • Pensacola State College reports an open admissions policy.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pensacola State - Open admission; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Pensacola State Aug 30, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.96 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Pensacola State (2.54).

Pensacola State vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pensacola State 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).

  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Pensacola State graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $30,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Pensacola State College graduates have a $21,500 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($3,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Pensacola State graduates have an estimated $222 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($36 vs. $258).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pensacola State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 46%)

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.