Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Deciding between Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
University of Southern Mississippi

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Setting
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Remote Town
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 4,732
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Type
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus #916
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus -
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Status
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Non-profit
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Website
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus saumag.edu
  • University of Southern Mississippi usm.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $9,960
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $15,690
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Room & Board
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $7,911
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Average Net Price
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $13,442
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $11,552
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 99%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Calculate
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Applied
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 2,708
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Admitted
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 2,040
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 75.3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 34.8%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 990
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Typical ACT score
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 20
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 3.46
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus B+
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Extremely Easy
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • ACT Range
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Required
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027
  • University of Southern Mississippi

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
    • Business (21%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Biology (5%)
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 34%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $37,900
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 44%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $17,020
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus $175
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 41%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • % Women
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 59%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Medium
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • HBCU
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus No
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • % White
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 63%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • % Asian
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Black
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 28%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • % Hispanic
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • % Native American
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 1%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • % International
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 3%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 0%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 71%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 29%
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than University of Southern Mississippi ($13,442 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 33.6% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($7,911 vs. $11,920).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $38 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $9,960.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.8% higher at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $3,692 more per year; $15,690.00 vs. $11,998.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Southern Mississippi (99% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 6% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($11,552 vs. $10,900).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (3.46).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $7,980 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($17,020 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($175 vs. $258).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 44%)

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.