All schools
PublicUrban

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-0001

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Urban

Known for business — excellent value

University of Southern Mississippi is a public institution in Hattiesburg with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1120, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 9.9K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

51% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $44,140 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,224.

Established
1910
Motto
"Southern Miss to the Top!"
Mascot
Seymour d'Campus
Type
Public research university

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

99%Acceptance
1120SAT Avg
9,899Students
15:1Student:Faculty
51%Grad Rate
$44,140Earnings 10yr
$14,224Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.4%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1927

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,618
Tuition (out-of-state)$11,618
Room & Board$11,664
Books & Supplies$840
Total Cost of Attendance$25,482
Average Net Price$14,224
Median Debt at Graduation$22,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$239

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,798
$30–48K$11,574
$48–75K$16,248
$75–110K$18,212
$110K+$19,561

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

50.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$14,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

75

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

19

Burglary

4

Aggravated Assault

3

Robbery

6

Motor Vehicle Theft

8

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

20

Drug Arrests

15

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (166)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

71%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
9,899
Gender Split
64% / 36%
Women / Men
First Generation
33%
Pell Grant Recipients
47%

Race & Ethnicity

White 57%
Black 28%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate50.6%
Freshman Retention70.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$37,710
10 Years$44,140

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • In its first session, Mississippi Normal College had an enrollment of 876 students, and stood for "clean, pure, efficient lives.
  • " As the school developed its curriculum and departments, its name changed to reflect its progress: in 1924, to Mississippi State Teachers College, and in 1940, to Mississippi Southern College.
  • The college's fifth president, State Archivist William David McCain, was installed in 1955 and worked to expand Mississippi Southern College.
  • On February 27, 1962, Barnett signed the bill into law that renamed the school the University of Southern Mississippi.
  • Johnson at signing of bill granting university status Desegregation and civil rights In 1954 the United States Supreme Court ruled in Brown v.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

91Average

Estimated from MS state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

New Orleanspop. 380K
105 mi(182 min)
Atlantapop. 500K
333 mi(577 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
365 mi(633 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSY New Orleans107 mi
BHM Birmingham216 mi
MEM Memphis259 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1261 mi · ~36h 26m drive
New York, NY1072 mi · ~30h 58m drive
Hartford, CT1169 mi · ~33h 46m drive
Providence, RI1227 mi · ~35h 27m drive
Albany, NY1159 mi · ~33h 29m drive
Syracuse, NY1085 mi · ~31h 21m drive
Rochester, NY1039 mi · ~30h 1m drive
Buffalo, NY983 mi · ~28h 24m drive
Philadelphia, PA992 mi · ~28h 39m drive
Pittsburgh, PA817 mi · ~23h 36m drive
Harrisburg, PA930 mi · ~26h 52m drive
Newark, NJ1065 mi · ~30h 46m drive
Washington, DC869 mi · ~25h 6m drive
Baltimore, MD902 mi · ~26h 3m drive
Atlanta, GA333 mi · ~9h 37m drive
Charlotte, NC559 mi · ~16h 9m drive
Raleigh, NC688 mi · ~19h 53m drive
Miami, FL675 mi · ~19h 30m drive
Orlando, FL513 mi · ~14h 49m drive
Tampa, FL474 mi · ~13h 42m drive
Nashville, TN365 mi · ~10h 33m drive
New Orleans, LA105 mi · ~3h 2m drive
Richmond, VA801 mi · ~23h 8m drive
Chicago, IL735 mi · ~21h 14m drive
Detroit, MI835 mi · ~24h 7m drive
Minneapolis, MN967 mi · ~27h 56m drive
St. Louis, MO507 mi · ~14h 39m drive
Kansas City, MO613 mi · ~17h 43m drive
Indianapolis, IN610 mi · ~17h 37m drive
Columbus, OH694 mi · ~20h 3m drive
Cleveland, OH820 mi · ~23h 41m drive
Milwaukee, WI813 mi · ~23h 29m drive
Dallas, TX448 mi · ~12h 57m drive
Houston, TX375 mi · ~10h 50m drive
Austin, TX504 mi · ~14h 34m drive
San Antonio, TX562 mi · ~16h 14m drive
Los Angeles, CA1686 mi · ~48h 42m drive
San Francisco, CA1924 mi · ~55h 35m drive
San Diego, CA1628 mi · ~47h 2m drive
Seattle, WA2065 mi · ~59h 39m drive
Portland, OR2034 mi · ~58h 46m drive
Denver, CO1053 mi · ~30h 25m drive
Phoenix, AZ1332 mi · ~38h 29m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1413 mi · ~40h 49m drive
Honolulu, HI4235 mi · ~122h 21m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of Southern Mississippi Application Checklist

Decision Notifications