University of Southern Mississippi vs. Tennessee State University

Deciding between University of Southern Mississippi and Tennessee State 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
Tennessee State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
  • Tennessee State University Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • University of Southern Mississippi Small City
  • Tennessee State University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Southern Mississippi 13,170
  • Tennessee State University 6,310
  • Type
  • University of Southern Mississippi Public 4 Year
  • Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Southern Mississippi #901
  • Tennessee State University #973
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Southern Mississippi -
  • Tennessee State University -
  • Status
  • University of Southern Mississippi Non-profit
  • Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Website
  • University of Southern Mississippi usm.edu
  • Tennessee State University tnstate.edu
  • Team Colors
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Tennessee State University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $9,998
  • Tennessee State University $8,616
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,998
  • Tennessee State University $22,416
  • Room & Board
  • University of Southern Mississippi $11,920
  • Tennessee State University $11,150
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Southern Mississippi $15,095
  • Tennessee State University $14,586
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Mississippi $10,900
  • Tennessee State University $9,661
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Mississippi 95%
  • Tennessee State University 67%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of Southern Mississippi Calculate
  • Tennessee State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of Southern Mississippi 7,048
  • Tennessee State University 9,660
  • Admitted
  • University of Southern Mississippi 6,986
  • Tennessee State University 6,773
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Southern Mississippi 99.1%
  • Tennessee State University 70.1% Open
  • Enrolled
  • University of Southern Mississippi 25%
  • Tennessee State University 13% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Tennessee State University 970
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Southern Mississippi 22
  • Tennessee State University 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3.5
  • Tennessee State University 3.22
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Southern Mississippi A-
  • Tennessee State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Southern Mississippi Moderate
  • Tennessee State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Tennessee State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • University of Southern Mississippi 19/26
  • Tennessee State University 16/21
  • SAT Range
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Tennessee State University 880/1050
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Southern Mississippi Required
  • Tennessee State University Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • Tennessee State University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Southern Mississippi 18:1
  • Tennessee State University 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Psychology (5%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Tennessee State University
    • Health Professions (25%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Southern Mississippi 47%
  • Tennessee State University 36%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Southern Mississippi $41,700
  • Tennessee State University $38,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Southern Mississippi 54%
  • Tennessee State University 29%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Southern Mississippi $25,000
  • Tennessee State University $28,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Southern Mississippi $258
  • Tennessee State University $289

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Southern Mississippi 37%
  • Tennessee State University 35%
  • % Women
  • University of Southern Mississippi 63%
  • Tennessee State University 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Southern Mississippi Medium
  • Tennessee State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Southern Mississippi No
  • Tennessee State University Yes
  • % White
  • University of Southern Mississippi 61%
  • Tennessee State University 14%
  • % Asian
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Tennessee State University 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Southern Mississippi 30%
  • Tennessee State University 70%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Southern Mississippi 3%
  • Tennessee State University 1%
  • % Native American
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Southern Mississippi 0%
  • Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Southern Mississippi 2%
  • Tennessee State University 3%
  • % International
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Tennessee State University 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Southern Mississippi 1%
  • Tennessee State University 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 66%
  • Tennessee State University 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Southern Mississippi 23%
  • Tennessee State University 57%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Mississippi 18:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University than University of Southern Mississippi ($14,586 vs. $15,095).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 6.5% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($11,150 vs. $11,920).
  • University of Southern Mississippi is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $1,382 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $8,616.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 86.8% higher at Tennessee State University than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $10,418 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $11,998.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Tennessee State University (95% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($10,900 vs. $9,661).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

  • Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
  • Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at Tennessee State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26; Tennessee State University 16/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
  • Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
  • University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25% at University of Southern Mississippi vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University's (36%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $28,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Mississippi graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($258 vs. $289).
  • More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 29%)

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.