University of Southern Mississippi
#1 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,140 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $21,708 D+
- 27% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates.
Every $1 spent returns $12.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $980,083.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Social mobility rate of 2.14% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
-
Every $1 invested returns $12.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 85%
- Patents
- 15
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #601-800
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 49
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 12/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Southern Mississippi Matters
University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university in Hattiesburg, MS ranked #601-800 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 10,075
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology
Why students choose University of Southern Mississippi
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,708 a year after grants and scholarships — 27% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,140 ten years after enrolling — 8% above the typical college, against $22,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 24% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.23 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 99%, the University of Southern Mississippi welcomes a diverse range of students. This school is a solid choice for those interested in fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Psychology, and Humanities. The community here is supportive, making it an ideal environment for students who may need a little extra encouragement to thrive.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $44,140 on average within ten years, which is a decent return on investment for many. The affordability factor is significant, especially with nearly half of the students receiving Pell Grants. This financial support can help ease the burden for those who may be concerned about the cost of education, given that the net price after aid stands at $21,708.
When we look at the numbers, the median debt for graduates is $22,500—manageable compared to many other institutions. Students who tend to excel here often appreciate the supportive atmosphere and practical programs that align with their career goals. Those who are proactive about their education and take advantage of available resources are likely to find success in their chosen paths.
Rankings
- #1 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
- #6 Best Bachelor's Programs in Mississippi
- #6 Best Master's Programs in Mississippi
- #6 Best Computer Science Colleges in Mississippi
- #6 Best Business Colleges in Mississippi
- #6 Best Data Science Colleges in Mississippi
- #7 Best Biology Colleges in Mississippi
- #8 Best Psychology Colleges in Mississippi
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Southern Mississippi is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Southern Mississippi? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- SAT Average
- 1190
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- ACT Range
- 20–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,697
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 9,051
- Admitted
- 8,946
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Southern Mississippi? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Southern Mississippi is $11,998, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,708. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,867 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,998
- Out-of-State
- $11,998
- Avg Net Price
- $21,708
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 48%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,867
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,432
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,756
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,542
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Southern Mississippi — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Southern Mississippi Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Southern Mississippi report median earnings of $44,140, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,710
- 8 Years
- $40,972
- 10 Years
- $44,140
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.51x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (489)
- 31%
- 100% (489)
- 31%
- 100% (489)
- 31%
- 100% (489)
- 31%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Southern Mississippi Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Southern Mississippi delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,708/year ($86,832 total). Graduates earn $44,140 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,066,915 in total earnings — a net gain of $980,083 (12.3× your investment). The median debt is $22,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $86,832
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,066,915
- Net Return
- $980,083
- ROI Multiple
- 12.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,708
- Median Debt
- $22,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Southern Mississippi Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Southern Mississippi is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.14%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.14%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $104,208
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Southern Mississippi produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 15 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 12/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.15%
- Top 85% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 15
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 49
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 12/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 20/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 40/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.09%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $44,386
Top Programs
The fields University of Southern Mississippi awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 21% $48,075 early-career
- Health Professions 12% $66,841 early-career
- Education 7% $39,933 early-career
- Psychology 7% $26,252 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $61,267 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $32,647 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $27,056 early-career
- Humanities 4% $23,930 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Southern Mississippi's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Southern Mississippi? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,190. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Southern Mississippi? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Southern Mississippi is $11,998, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,708. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,867 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Southern Mississippi Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Southern Mississippi report median earnings of $44,140, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does University of Southern Mississippi Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Southern Mississippi is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.14%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Southern Mississippi? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Southern Mississippi. Its economic connectedness score is 1.23, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Southern Mississippi? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Southern Mississippi at #601-800 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 12/100, teaching at 21/100, and citation impact of 20/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Southern Mississippi.
- Troy UniversityTroy, AL · Close peer48% grad $42,062 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA · Close peer45% grad $46,482 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN · Close peer52% grad $44,859 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Central ArkansasConway, AR · Close peer53% grad $45,938 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY · Close peer48% grad $45,036 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of MaineOrono, ME · Close peer56% grad $48,653 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Southern Mississippi? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Southern Mississippi. Its economic connectedness score is 1.23, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note