University of Southern Mississippi vs. Lamar University

Deciding between University of Southern Mississippi and Lamar University? 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
Lamar University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Lamar University Beaumont, TX
  • Setting
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Lamar University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Lamar University 17,772
  • Type
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • Lamar University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Lamar University #936
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Lamar University -
  • Status
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Lamar University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Lamar University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Lamar University $8,905
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Lamar University $18,745
  • Room & Board
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Lamar University $10,464
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Lamar University $9,814
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • Lamar University $12,263
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%
  • Lamar University 91%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Lamar University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Lamar University 8,990
  • Admitted
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Lamar University 7,768
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Lamar University 86.4%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Lamar University 21.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Lamar University 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Lamar University 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Lamar University 3.4
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Lamar University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Lamar University Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Lamar University
  • ACT Range
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • Lamar University 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Lamar University 930/1140
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Lamar University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Lamar University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Lamar University 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Lamar University
    • Business (18%)
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Engineering (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Lamar University 31%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Lamar University $45,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Lamar University 42%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Lamar University $22,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258
  • Lamar University $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • Lamar University 35%
  • % Women
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Lamar University 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • Lamar University High
  • HBCU
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • Lamar University No
  • % White
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • Lamar University 48%
  • % Asian
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Lamar University 5%
  • % Black
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • Lamar University 27%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • Lamar University 15%
  • % Native American
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • Lamar University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • Lamar University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • Lamar University 2%
  • % International
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Lamar University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Lamar University 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • Lamar University 97%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%
  • Lamar University 2%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Lamar University is larger than University of Southern Mississippi based on total student enrollment (17,772 students vs. 13,170 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting); Lamar University is in Beaumont, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lamar University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Mississippi 18:1; Lamar University 20:1.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Lamar University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or Lamar University? 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 Lamar University than University of Southern Mississippi ($9,814 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lamar University are 12.2% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($10,464 vs. $11,920).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 12.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lamar University (about $1,093 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $8,905.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at Lamar University than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $6,747 more per year; $18,745.00 vs. $11,998.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Lamar University (95% vs. 91%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lamar University students is 12.5% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($12,263 vs. $10,900).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Lamar University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Mississippi or Lamar University? 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 Lamar University and University of Southern Mississippi.

  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Lamar University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLamar University 930/1140.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26; Lamar University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; Lamar University - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Lamar University (3.4).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Lamar University (86.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25% at University of Southern Mississippi vs. 21.9% at Lamar University.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Lamar University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and Lamar University? 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 Lamar University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Lamar University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lamar University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($22,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Lamar University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($227 vs. $258).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lamar University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 42%)

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.