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#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

 2 Reviews

Overview

Enrollment

13,526
University of Southern Mississippi overview
Location Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Online usm.edu
School Type Public 4 Year
Setting Small City
University of Southern Mississippi overview
Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
On Campus Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
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The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), located in Hattiesburg, approximately 70 miles north of Biloxi and the Gulf of Mexico coastline, is a public research institution that has been part of the state's higher education landscape since its founding in 1910. The university's campus is characterized by a blend of historic and modern architecture, with landmark buildings such as the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building. USM offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with notable emphasis on research and strong contributions in areas like polymer science, coastal sciences, and performance arts. The application process at USM is moderately selective, catering to a variety of academic interests and abilities. Student housing is available on-campus, providing residential facilities that contribute to the all-encompassing collegiate experience. While the university offers various athletic programs, it does not particularly stand out for dominance in intercollegiate athletics.

In the most recent statistical year 9,051 prospective students applied, and 8,946 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 1,624 enrolled in the school.  10,086 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 3,440 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $9,340 plus fees of $110. University of Southern Mississippi is ranked 874 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Ratings

4/10

Overall

5/10

Academics

3/10

Resources

4/10

Outcomes

3/10

Value

University of Southern Mississippi is rated within the lower 35% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated

Rankings

Rankings for University of Southern Mississippi within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.

Getting In

Admission Standards

Moderate
University of Southern Mississippi overview
ACT 19/26
GPA 3.5

Applications Accepted

98.8% 
University of Southern Mississippi overview
Applications Due -
Applicant Competition Very Low
Application Fee $45

Explore admissions requirements

Annual Cost to Attend

Mississippi Resident Tuition

$9,340
In State Costs for University of Southern Mississippi
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$1,400
Other Fees$110
Room and Board $11,338
Budget for Other Expenses$3,812
Total One Year Cost$26,000

Out of State Resident Tuition

$11,340
Out of State Costs for University of Southern Mississippi
Fee Cost
Books and Supplies$1,400
Other Fees$110
Room and Board $11,338
Budget for Other Expenses$3,812
Total One Year Cost$28,000

Tuition and financial aid details

Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$41,700 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

47% within 6 years

Explore Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular subjects studied by University of Southern Mississippi students
Subject Percent of Class
Business 22%
Health Professions 13%
Education 13%
Psychology 5%
Communication 5%

View All 74 Majors

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Questions and Answers

CollegeSimply Advisor posts about University of Southern Mississippi.

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=176372 IPEDS survey data for University of Southern Mississippi.

Current students may use the University of Southern Mississippi GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.

Last updated February 24, 2024