USM Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 99.12%. Not very selective
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $9,998
- Out-of-State Tuition: $11,998
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at USM:
- Total Enrollment: 13,170, including 4,140 online students
- 10,193 Undergraduate, 2,977 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 36.9% men, 63.1% women.
- This is a medium-sized institution, offering diverse programs and student activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 49%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 72%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 180 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 28 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 76 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
USM Overview
University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a four-year, public school located in Hattiesburg, MS. It is classified as Research University with very high research activity by Carnegie Classification, also known as R1 University. You can compare their tuition and admission statistics at R1 University comparison page.
The USM's tuition & fees is $9,998 for Mississippi residents and $11,998 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 83% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $10,055.
The school has a total enrollment of 13,170 and the students to faculty ratio is 18 to 1 (5.56%).
USM's acceptance rate is 99.12% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 24.98%.
USM ranked 175th in National Universities and 6th in Mississippi Colleges rankings. University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of University of Southern Mississippi is $9,998 for in-state students and $11,998 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $9,998 for in-state students and $11,998 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $10,393 for Mississippi residents and $12,390 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $10,393 for Mississippi residents and $12,390 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,998 | $11,998 |
|---|
| Graduate | $9,998 | $11,998 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $10,393 | $12,390 |
|---|
| Graduate | $10,393 | $12,390 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
University of Southern Mississippi offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at USM
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army, Air Force |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
University of Southern Mississippi Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing USM