UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, LA with University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than University of Southern Mississippi based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 13,170 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette than University of Southern Mississippi ($13,017 vs. $15,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Mississippi are 1.6% lower than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette ($11,920 vs. $12,108).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is 4.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Mississippi (about $420 more per year; $10,418.00 vs. $9,998.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.3% higher at UL Lafayette than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $12,148 more per year; $24,146.00 vs. $11,998.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 7.9% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($11,762 vs. $10,900).

UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette.

• Incoming UL Lafayette students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at University of Southern Mississippi).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
• Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UL Lafayette (3.4).
• University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than UL Lafayette (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette 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 University of Louisiana at Lafayette's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($19,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($201 vs. $258).
• More UL Lafayette graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Mississippi students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.