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Hattiesburg , MS
The University of Southern Mississippi, often referred to as USM, is a public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. With its mission of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement, USM has established itself as a leading institution in the Gulf South region. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across several disciplines, including business, health sciences, education, arts and sciences, and engineering.
USM stands out for its commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience. The university houses state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, which facilitates research and innovation. Additionally, USM boasts numerous Centers of Excellence in areas like polymer science, marine science, and child development. These centers provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning, research collaborations, and valuable industry connections.
Beyond academics, USM offers a vibrant campus life filled with opportunities for personal growth and involvement. The university has over 250 student organizations covering a wide range of interests, from academic and professional clubs to cultural and recreational groups. Students can also enjoy a variety of NCAA Division I sports teams, including football, basketball, baseball, and softball. The university's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice is reflected in its many programs and initiatives that promote equality and foster an inclusive environment for all students. Overall, the University of Southern Mississippi provides a dynamic and supportive environment that prepares graduates to excel in their chosen field and make a positive impact on society.
University of Southern Mississippi is a public university located in Hattiesburg, MS and set in a suburban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 99%. The freshman retention rate at University of Southern Mississippi is 72.09% and the six-year graduation rate is 49%.
Read more about what University of Southern Mississippi has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
10,193
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
49%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Discover some vital info about admission at University of Southern Mississippi.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 6,986 in 2025. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 23.77, 27.25 between 24-29, 36.49 in the range between 18-23, 12.26 between 12-17, and 0.23 between 6-11.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 23 and the average GPA was 3.46. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When creating your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Southern Mississippi was 72.09%, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 49%.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the best fit for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of Southern Mississippi in 2025 was 13,170.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 13.17% for that year. There was a total of 10,193 undergraduate students, including 482 international students. 1,473 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 3,766 male and 6,342 female full-time students in 2025. 576 full-time graduate men and 996 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 146 Asian students and 2,734 Afro-American students in 2025. 497 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 358 identified with more than one race. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 54 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 137 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for University of Southern Mississippi.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
According to the reports from public county and municipal institutions, tuition fees were $9,998 for area residents. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $11,998. Tuition costs at University of Southern Mississippi for international students were $11,998. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $110.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $11,998 | $110 | $12,108 |
| In-State | $9,998 | $110 | $10,108 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $852.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At University of Southern Mississippi, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $11,920.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,998 |
| Room and Board | $ 11,920 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 852 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,770 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of Southern Mississippi.
The most recent records show that 1,208 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $13,011.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
4,133 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 5,918. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $27,992,798, and state $7,174,290. The students of University of Southern Mississippi received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $11,328,081, and external in the amount of $1,628,744.
$7,697
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 3,955 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Southern Mississippi in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 888 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $27,992,798 while the state aid is $3,012,848. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $21,934,515. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,422,357 USD.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of Southern Mississippi was 18:1: that means 18 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 829 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 404 men and 425 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at University of Southern Mississippi.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of Southern Mississippi: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at University of Southern Mississippi.
Its campus is 1,090 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Joining multiple student organizations can provide you a more interesting and dynamic experience.
This school has 239 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 10 percent of male and 14 of female students are involved in different organizations at University of Southern Mississippi. Students interested in music can join the University of Southern Mississippi band or chorus. For individuals with a passion for acting, there is a drama club available. You have a talent for media and communication? University of Southern Mississippi publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of Southern Mississippi, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of Southern Mississippi.
All in all, campus life at University of Southern Mississippi is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Southern Mississippi.
Career Counselling
There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 41,982 USD.
$41,982
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for University of Southern Mississippi is 99%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of Southern Mississippi is 72.09%.
Contact Information
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive
Hattiesburg , MS
39406-0001
601 266-1000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.