University of Southern Mississippi — College Profile

About

The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) is an R1 research institution in Hattiesburg best known for its world-renowned School of Polymer Science and Engineering, alongside standout programs in marine science, nursing, business, and the fine arts. Benefiting from extensive coastal research facilities and strong industry partnerships, USM provides undergraduates with rare, high-level research opportunities that set them apart in STEM fields. Campus life revolves around a tight-knit college-town atmosphere rich in Southern hospitality, featuring active Greek life, hundreds of student organizations, and spirited NCAA Division I Golden Eagles athletics. With its distinctive coastal and materials research capabilities paired with an accessible, supportive community, Southern Miss offers a robust public university experience.

Wikipedia:The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university with its main campus in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity".

Location

Hattiesburg, MS, 39406-0001 · City campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

MSY · New Orleans

107 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$9,998$11,998

Housing & food (on campus)$11,920$11,920

Books & supplies$852$852

Cost of attendance$26,566$30,786

Average net price$21,708Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$11,998

In-state: $9,998

Housing & food (on campus)$11,920

Books & supplies$852

Cost of attendance$30,786

In-state: $26,566

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $21,708

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.usm.edu

How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2025-26

University of Southern Mississippi’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$12,394

Fees$610

Books & supplies$860

Personal expenses$3,344

Transportation$1,300

Total published by the school$30,786

Source: www.usm.edu · checked Sep 28, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$19,867

$30–48k

$20,432

$48–75k

$22,756

$75–110k

$25,812

$110k+

$26,542

Your family's actual price → University of Southern Mississippi net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

50%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

34%

Back for yr 2

72%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

52% graduated · 29% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 18% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$37,710

10 yrs after entry$44,140

Debt

Median at graduation$22,500

Monthly payment$239

Middle 50% owe$6.5k–$29.1k

90th percentile$41,278

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

99%

Test policy

Required

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1190

ACT midpoint

Comp 20–29 · E 19–28 · M 17–25

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Essay prompts

If University of Southern Mississippi asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 38%Women 62%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

18 : 1

Pell grant

46%

First-gen

33%

Family income

$27,959

Independent

28%

Veterans

Age at entry

23.0

Part-time

14%

Race & ethnicity

White

56%

Hispanic

Black

27%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

AI/AN

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Beach Volleyball
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Men's · Women's
Track and Field (Indoor)
Men's
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Men's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$37,710

After 10 yrs

$44,140

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods212

Business Administration, Management and Operations206

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing168

Psychology, General167

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities144

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness127

Biology, General98

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services83

Social Work72

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians69

Marketing68

Construction Management59

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services58

Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians56

Security Science and Technology55

English Language and Literature, General50

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$160M

Full-time faculty

100%

Faculty salary

$8,697/mo

Teaching spend

$8,263

per student

Federal loans

48%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R1 — very high research

$94M research spending · 362 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile