University of Southern Mississippi combines open admission with strong economic mobility outcomes. As an Under-Resourced Institution, the university demonstrates top-tier mobility performance while maintaining affordable costs and manageable debt levels, supporting long-term educational access for Mississippi students.
Modestly below average, driven by median earnings that lag national benchmarks
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and reasonable debt levels relative to outcomes
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Open access with strong mobility outcomes
University of Southern Mississippi ranks #278 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 90.9th percentile reflecting top-tier performance in converting educational access into economic advancement. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this medium-sized public university maintains open access admission with a 99.4% acceptance rate while enrolling 46.6% Pell-eligible students and 32.6% first-generation students.
The institution demonstrates strong commitment to serving diverse student populations through broad educational access. University of Southern Mississippi falls within the Under-Resourced Institutions category, reflecting the challenges facing many public regional universities.
Graduates earn a median of $44,140 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 24th percentile nationally. While overall earnings lag peer institutions by $5,976 annually, the university delivers outcomes around expectations for its student demographics.
The combination of open access, above-average support for low-income students, and strong mobility outcomes positions University of Southern Mississippi as an important pathway for economic advancement in Mississippi.
University of Southern Mississippi delivers outcomes around expectations relative to its student demographics and mission. Graduates earn a median of $44,140 ten years after enrollment, with earnings ranging from $28,070 at the 25th percentile to $66,054 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the diverse program portfolio and career paths.
While median earnings rank at the 24th percentile nationally, the institution generates outcomes that are around the national average when accounting for student backgrounds, with earnings $2,924 below expectations. Low-income graduates earn $39,900, demonstrating the university's role in providing economic mobility for students from lower-income families.
Students seeking affordable higher education with strong support systems, particularly first-generation college students and those from lower-income backgrounds. Well-suited for students who want open access admission combined with specialized technical programs like engineering technology and nursing that can deliver solid career outcomes despite the institution's overall earnings performance.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Southern Mississippi hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-southern-mississippi/analysis.
University of Southern Mississippi admits 99.4% of applicants, representing open access admission where nearly all students who apply are accepted. This places the institution among the most accessible four-year universities in the United States.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows that University of Southern Mississippi provides significantly broader access than typical public regional universities. Open access admission means that meeting basic eligibility requirements typically ensures admission, removing selectivity barriers that limit access at most four-year institutions.
This accessibility serves the university's mission of providing educational opportunity to diverse student populations, particularly in Mississippi where higher education access has historically been limited. Students should approach University of Southern Mississippi as a reliable admission option while focusing their application strategy on academic preparation for college-level work rather than admission competition.
The university's role as an open access institution makes it particularly valuable for first-generation students, returning adults, and others who may face barriers at more selective institutions. This admission approach supports the university's strong mobility outcomes by ensuring that qualified students have access to four-year degree programs regardless of traditional selectivity metrics like test scores or high school rank.
Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician.
41 graduates
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
75 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
163 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
35 graduates
Blood Bank Technology Specialist.
17 graduates
University of Southern Mississippi offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Chemical Engineering Technology ranks #10 nationally and #1 in Mississippi, graduating 41 students with median earnings of $75,493 and a value score of 65.4.
Architectural Engineering Technologies ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Mississippi, producing 75 graduates with median earnings of $66,725 and a value score of 66.7. Adult Health Nursing ranks #206 nationally and #2 in Mississippi, graduating 163 students with median earnings of $63,071.
Adult Development and Aging ranks #54 nationally and #1 in Mississippi, graduating 107 students with median earnings of $34,932 and a notable value score of 44.2. Business Administration and Management represents the university's largest program, graduating 172 students annually with median earnings of $45,711.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates 127 students with earnings of $39,166, ranking #137 nationally. The program portfolio demonstrates strength in technical fields while serving diverse student interests across business, healthcare, education, and liberal arts disciplines.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Southern Mississippi's published cost of attendance reaches $25,482 annually, including $11,618 in out-of-state tuition ($9,618 for in-state residents), $11,664 for room and board, and $840 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid.
The average net price after aid totals $14,224, representing $11,258 in financial aid savings from the sticker price. This net price falls $131 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating comparable affordability to similar institutions.
The substantial gap between sticker price and average net cost reflects the university's commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds through comprehensive financial aid. Net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $12,798 for students from families earning under $30,000 to $19,561 for families earning over $110,000.
This progressive pricing structure ensures that lower-income students face the most affordable costs while higher-income families pay closer to the full cost of attendance. The university's financial aid approach supports its mission of broad educational access while maintaining institutional sustainability through varied pricing by economic circumstances.
University of Southern Mississippi graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time. Median earnings rise from $37,710 six years after enrollment to $40,972 at eight years and $44,140 at ten years, representing 17.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from substantial cohorts, with 4,910 graduates included in the ten-year earnings analysis, providing confidence in the reported figures. Earnings span from $28,070 at the 25th percentile to $66,054 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the 2.4:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile outcomes.
This variation demonstrates opportunities across different academic programs and career trajectories. Low-income graduates earn $39,900, indicating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Approximately 26.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both advanced education and immediate workforce entry. While median earnings rank below national averages, the institution serves its mission of providing broad educational access with outcomes that support long-term career development.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Nebraska-Lincoln Similar quality tier (#277 ranked) | NE | 77% | $56,887 | #277 | Compare |
Western Carolina University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#278 ranked) | NC | 87% | $49,458 | #278 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-Kansas City Similar quality tier (#279 ranked) | MO | 75% | $59,637 | #279 | Compare |
Texas A & M University-Commerce Similar quality tier (#275 ranked) | TX | 93% | $50,296 | #275 | Compare |
University Of Kentucky Similar quality tier in Southeast (#272 ranked) | KY | 92% | $59,025 | #272 | Compare |