Ole Miss vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Comparable Facts

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

University of Mississippi is larger than University of Southern Mississippi based on total student enrollment (26,449 students vs. 13,170 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Ole Miss vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ole Miss 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 Mississippi than University of Southern Mississippi ($15,045 vs. $15,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Mississippi are 5.4% lower than at University of Mississippi ($11,920 vs. $12,600).
• University of Southern Mississippi is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ole Miss (about $226 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $9,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.4% higher at Ole Miss than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $16,602 more per year; $28,600.00 vs. $11,998.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at University of Mississippi (95% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mississippi students is 14.3% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($12,455 vs. $10,900).

Ole Miss vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ole Miss 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 Ole Miss.

• Incoming Ole Miss 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 Mississippi 1000/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Mississippi 21/29; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ole Miss - Test optional; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
• Accepted freshman Ole Miss students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at University of Southern Mississippi (3.5).
• University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Ole Miss (96.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Ole Miss vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

Ole Miss vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ole Miss 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 Mississippi's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Southern Mississippi's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Mississippi earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,700 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Mississippi graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Ole Miss graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Ole Miss graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Mississippi students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.