University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · Public · offers Graduate degrees

Small city

99%Acceptance rate
$21,708Average net price / year
49%Graduation rate
$44,140Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$22,500Median debt at graduation
10,075Undergraduates

Cost

In-state tuition & fees
$9,998
Out-of-state tuition
$11,998
Total cost of attendance
$26,566
Room & board
$11,920
Books & supplies
$852
Average net price
$21,708

Net price by family income

$0–30k
$19,867
$30–48k
$20,432
$48–75k
$22,756
$75–110k
$25,812
$110k+
$26,542

Official net price calculator

Admissions

Acceptance rate
99.1%
Average SAT
1190
ACT composite (25–75%)
20–29

Outcomes

Graduation rate
49%
First-year retention
72%
Median earnings (6 yrs)
$37,710
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$44,140
Median debt (graduates)
$22,500
3-year loan default rate
0.0%
Students with Pell grants
46%
Students with federal loans
48%

Programs: what graduates earn

61 of 168 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).

Bachelor's degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians56$76,114$22,875
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians69$75,493$21,208
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing168$70,068$24,327
Human Resources Management and Services34$44,709$21,172
Accounting and Related Services45$40,764$18,425
Marketing68$40,496$19,000
Finance and Financial Management Services28$39,444—
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness127$39,049$22,506
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods212$38,766$21,924
Business Administration, Management and Operations206$38,757$20,000
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities144$37,800$25,000
Data Processing26$37,734$22,500
Criminal Justice and Corrections49$36,315$20,183
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services83$31,020$29,677
History36$30,684$25,411
Journalism21$29,591$25,125
Public Health44$28,363$25,575
Social Work72$28,262$27,000
Psychology, General167$28,130$20,500
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management3$26,619$24,990
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies—$25,354$27,518
Biology, General98$24,195$20,548
Security Science and Technology55$51,956—
Visual and Performing Arts, General18$38,599—
Sociology21$36,907—
Legal Support Services17$48,196—
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft26$30,864—
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services58$36,265$18,267
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions13$53,436—
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services18$50,957—
Hospitality Administration/Management7$45,985—
Computer and Information Sciences, General46$81,740—
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other7$70,328—
Communication and Media Studies24$37,868—
English Language and Literature, General50$28,649—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas30$34,394—
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology25$36,771—
Mathematics5$47,150—
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other9$35,066—
Library Science and Administration45$30,340$23,255
Chemistry10$63,856—
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences13$66,142—

Post-baccalaureate certificate

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing54$180,486$143,995
Psychology, General19$85,988—
Education, General40$71,295—

Students

Undergraduates
10,075
Graduate students
3,684
Part-time
14%
Women / men
62% / 38%
White
56%
Hispanic
5%
Black
27%
Asian
1%
International
5%

Faculty & school

Student–faculty ratio
18:1
Avg faculty salary
$78,273 / year
Full-time faculty
100%
Accreditor
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Website
www.usm.edu
Also known as
NA

Most popular fields

  • Computer & Information Sciences – 6% of degrees
  • Education – 7% of degrees
  • Engineering Technologies – 3% of degrees
  • Liberal Arts & General Studies – 4% of degrees
  • Biological Sciences – 5% of degrees
  • Parks, Recreation & Fitness – 6% of degrees

Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern Mississippi?

99.1% of applicants were admitted, and admitted students averaged 1190 on the SAT.

How much does University of Southern Mississippi cost?

The average net price after grants is $21,708 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $9,998 and the full cost of attendance is $26,566.

How much do University of Southern Mississippi graduates earn?

Students who enrolled earn a median of $44,140 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.

What is the graduation rate?

49% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Other colleges in Hattiesburg

CollegeNet priceAcceptanceGraduationEarnings
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS · Private nonprofit · 2,201 students
$14,25860%60%$43,087
The Academy of Hair Design Six
Hattiesburg, MS · Private for-profit · 37 students
$17,138—100%$22,706
Unlimited Cosmetology School
Hattiesburg, MS · Private for-profit · 29 students
$19,504—54%—
Pearl River Community College-Forrest County Campus
Hattiesburg, MS · Public
———$33,019

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.