University of Southern Mississippi vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Mississippi 18:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or South Carolina State 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 University of Southern Mississippi than South Carolina State University ($15,095 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 24.5% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($9,000 vs. $11,920).
• South Carolina State University is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Mississippi (about $1,062 more per year; $11,060.00 vs. $9,998.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.3% higher at South Carolina State University than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $9,752 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $11,998.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi as at South Carolina State University (95% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 6.2% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($11,579 vs. $10,900).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Mississippi or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University and University of Southern Mississippi.

• Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at South Carolina State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26; South Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17).
• University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than South Carolina State University (82.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25% at University of Southern Mississippi vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have a $8,205 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($258 vs. $343).
• More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 27%)

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.