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    University of Southern Mississippi

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    Overview

    University of Southern Mississippi is a public 4-year college located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. There are currently 10,149 undergraduates at Southern Mississippi and the school’s acceptance rate is 99%. The tuition at Southern Mississippi is $9,450 for in-state students and $11,450 for out-of-state.

    University of Southern Mississippi
    University University
    Universities are larger institutions that typically contain multiple different schools for different subjects. Students at these schools will be connected to a large group of peers and have many resources at their fingertips.
    11 City
    Urban institutions typically offer more options when it comes to internships, jobs, community service, research positions, social lives, and more. However, some may find the city distracting, and the cost of living is typically higher.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $26,000

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $14,256

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $13,744

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition
    $9,450
    Books & Supplies
    $1,400
    Room & Board
    $11,338
    Other
    $3,812

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $26,000

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Out-of-State
    Tuition
    $11,450
    Books & Supplies
    $1,400
    Room & Board
    $11,338
    Other
    $3,812

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $28,000

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Since Southern Mississippi is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Southern Mississippi is $26,000 for in-state students in MS, and $28,000 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Southern Mississippi would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    University of Southern Mississippi Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at University of Southern Mississippi need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for University of Southern Mississippi is 002441.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Midwest Student Tuition Exchange

    Southern Mississippi is in a state that participates in the Midwest Student Exchange. That means that if you are a resident of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, you may qualify for discounted tuition at Southern Mississippi. This program applies to both private and public institutions, although the discount at private institutions is lower. Check their website for more information on eligibility and what your discount would be.

    Pell Grants at University of Southern Mississippi

    50% of students at University of Southern Mississippi receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of Southern Mississippi.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Southern Mississippi students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    University of Southern Mississippi Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Southern Mississippi or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    99%

    Admission Rate

    23

    Average ACT

    Is Southern Mississippi test-optional?

    University of Southern Mississippirequires students to submit either an SAT or ACT score. We can help you decide which of these tests to focus on, and if you are not happy with your current score, there are ways to improve both your SAT and ACT scores.

    Rolling deadline at Southern Mississippi

    University of Southern Mississippi accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Southern Mississippi's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 52%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    17%

    17% of graduates

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    12%

    12% of graduates

    Education

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Engineering

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Psychology

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Family & Consumer Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    History

    2%

    2% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Library Science

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Legal Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Engineering

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 10,149

    Pell Grant 47%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 19%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 15%

    Percent Male / Female 35% / 65%

    Ethnic Diversity at Southern Mississippi

    59% White

    29% Black

    4% Hispanic

    4% Multiracial

    2% International / Non-Citizen

    2% Asian / Pacific Islander

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $44,140

    Median Debt $22,500

    Debt 10 years after graduation $239

    Graduation Rate 52%

    What is the graduation rate at University of Southern Mississippi?

    52% of students who start at University of Southern Mississippi end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 6% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of University of Southern Mississippi go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at University of Southern Mississippi, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $44,140. This is $6,251 less than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Southern Mississippi take out in loans?

    Graduates of Southern Mississippi have to take out a median of $22,500 in federal student loans. This is $9,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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