University of Southern Mississippi vs. Kent State University at Stark

Deciding between University of Southern Mississippi and Kent State University at Stark? 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
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Kent State University at Stark North Canton, OH
  • Setting
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Kent State University at Stark Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Kent State University at Stark 3,569
  • Type
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • Kent State University at Stark Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Kent State University at Stark
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Kent State University at Stark -
  • Status
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Kent State University at Stark Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Southern Mississippi usm.edu
  • Kent State University at Stark kent.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Kent State University at Stark

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Kent State University at Stark $7,492
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Kent State University at Stark $17,342
  • Room & Board
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Kent State University at Stark $11,810
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Kent State University at Stark $10,861
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • Kent State University at Stark $5,156
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%
  • Kent State University at Stark 76%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Kent State University at Stark Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Kent State University at Stark -
  • Admitted
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Kent State University at Stark -
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Kent State University at Stark Open
  • Enrolled
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Kent State University at Stark Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Kent State University at Stark
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Kent State University at Stark
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Kent State University at Stark 3.16
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Kent State University at Stark B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Kent State University at Stark Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Kent State University at Stark
  • ACT Range
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • Kent State University at Stark
  • SAT Range
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Kent State University at Stark
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Kent State University at Stark Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Kent State University at Stark Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Kent State University at Stark 24:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Kent State University at Stark
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (85%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (15%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Kent State University at Stark 23%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Kent State University at Stark $40,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Kent State University at Stark 46%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Kent State University at Stark $25,825
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258
  • Kent State University at Stark $267

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • Kent State University at Stark 37%
  • % Women
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Kent State University at Stark 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • Kent State University at Stark Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • Kent State University at Stark No
  • % White
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • Kent State University at Stark 83%
  • % Asian
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Kent State University at Stark 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • Kent State University at Stark 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • Kent State University at Stark 2%
  • % Native American
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • Kent State University at Stark 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • Kent State University at Stark 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • Kent State University at Stark 3%
  • % International
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Kent State University at Stark 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Kent State University at Stark 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • Kent State University at Stark 99%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%
  • Kent State University at Stark 1%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS with Kent State University at Stark in North Canton, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than Kent State University at Stark based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 3,569 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting); Kent State University at Stark is in North Canton, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Stark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Mississippi 18:1; Kent State University at Stark 24:1.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Kent State University at Stark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or Kent State University at Stark? 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 Kent State University at Stark than University of Southern Mississippi ($10,861 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Stark are 0.9% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($11,810 vs. $11,920).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 33.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Stark (about $2,506 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $7,492.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.5% higher at Kent State University at Stark than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $5,344 more per year; $17,342.00 vs. $11,998.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Kent State University at Stark (95% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 111.4% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Stark students ($10,900 vs. $5,156).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Kent State University at Stark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Mississippi or Kent State University at Stark? 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 Kent State University at Stark and University of Southern Mississippi.

  • Kent State University at Stark reports an open admissions policy.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; Kent State University at Stark - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Stark Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Kent State University at Stark (3.16).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Kent State University at Stark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and Kent State University at Stark? 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 Kent State University at Stark's (23%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Kent State University at Stark graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have a $825 lower median loan debt than Kent State University at Stark graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,825).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State University at Stark graduates ($258 vs. $267).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Stark 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.