Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Southern Mississippi vary significantly by field of study, with technical and healthcare programs delivering substantially higher earnings than liberal arts and education fields. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Analyzing 33 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at University of Southern Mississippi.
#11 nationally
$48K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Southern Mississippi.
This group delivers the strongest earnings outcomes at University of Southern Mississippi. Chemical Engineering Technology ranks #10 nationally with graduates earning $75,493, while Architectural Engineering Technologies ranks #2 nationally with $66,725 earnings.
Both programs significantly exceed the university's median earnings and demonstrate exceptional value scores above 65. These technical programs represent the institution's competitive advantage in preparing students for high-demand engineering careers with strong post-graduation outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician. |
Rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes based on federal College Scorecard data, not institutional reputation or program prestige. Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because career fields have varying earning potential, employment demand, and educational requirements. Technical and healthcare fields typically generate higher earnings due to specialized skills and industry demand, while education and social service programs often emphasize public service over maximizing income. Cohort sizes indicate program popularity and provide confidence in reported earnings figures—larger cohorts offer more reliable data while smaller programs may show more variable outcomes. Students should consider both earnings potential and personal career interests when evaluating programs, recognizing that salary represents only one dimension of career satisfaction and success.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $75,493★ |
| — |
| 41 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | #2 | $66,725 | — | 75 |
| Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician. | #2 | $47,846 | — | 34 |
Business programs show moderate earnings with significant variation by specialization. Digital Marketing leads at $48,470 earnings, followed by Accounting Technology at $49,061, both ranking competitively within their fields.
Business Administration, the university's largest program with 172 graduates, earns $45,711 with solid enrollment demand. These programs offer reasonable returns for students seeking management and business careers, though outcomes lag the university's technical specialties.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #140 | $60,363★ | — | 35 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #244 | $49,061 | — | 78 |
| Digital Marketing. | #153 | $48,470 | — | 81 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #277 | $45,711 | — | 172 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | #60 | $42,953 | — | 40 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management.Small sample | #82 | $35,420 | — | 17 |
Health programs demonstrate strong earnings potential with Adult Health Nursing leading at $63,071 for 163 graduates. The program ranks #206 nationally but #2 in Mississippi, showing regional competitiveness.
Speech-Language Pathology produces $40,522 earnings with smaller enrollment. Behavioral Aspects of Health shows lower earnings at $25,122, reflecting entry-level health support roles.
These programs serve students seeking healthcare careers with generally positive employment prospects.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #213 | $63,071★ | $13,477 | 163 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist.Small sample | #63 | $52,464 | — | 17 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #126 | $40,522 | — | 44 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #116 | $25,122 | $10,000 | 59 |
Biology represents the primary science offering with 119 graduates earning $38,258, ranking #316 nationally but serving as preparation for graduate study and healthcare careers. The moderate earnings reflect typical biology career paths that often require additional education for optimal outcomes.
Students should consider graduate school continuation rates when evaluating return on investment in biological sciences.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #318 | $38,258 | — | 119 |
Social sciences programs show varied outcomes with Psychology generating $32,661 earnings for 120 graduates, ranking #305 nationally. Forensic Social Work produces higher earnings at $39,608 for smaller cohorts, ranking #144 nationally and #1 in Mississippi.
These programs serve students interested in human services and social support careers, though earnings remain below university averages and require careful consideration of career goals versus debt levels.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forensic Social Work. | #143 | $39,608★ | — | 53 |
| Psychology, General. | #313 | $32,661 | $8,833 | 120 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #319 | $20,140 | — | 20 |
Broadcast Journalism shows strong performance with $41,330 earnings for 50 graduates, ranking #79 nationally and #2 in Mississippi. This specialized program demonstrates the university's media and communications strengths, offering students preparation for journalism and broadcasting careers with competitive regional outcomes despite smaller enrollment size.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #82 | $41,330★ | — | 50 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #241 | $38,252 | — | 22 |
English Language and Literature, General. leads humanities & arts with 36K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, General. | #203 | $35,842★ | — | 42 |
| American History (United States). | #275 | $35,660 | — | 41 |
| Digital Arts.Small sample | #32 | $22,771 | — | 14 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General. | #13 | $21,508 | — | 38 |
| General Studies. | #200 | $18,154 | $9,000 | 162 |
Education programs reflect the economic realities of teaching careers with Adult and Continuing Education producing $36,496 earnings for 125 graduates. The program ranks #1 in Mississippi, demonstrating state-level leadership in adult education preparation.
These programs serve students committed to education and training careers despite lower earnings, offering important social value and stable employment in educational settings throughout Mississippi.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #143 | $38,717★ | — | 40 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #207 | $36,496 | — | 125 |
Corrections Administration produces $31,967 earnings for 76 graduates, ranking #188 nationally. While earnings remain moderate, the program serves students seeking law enforcement and corrections careers with stable employment prospects.
Students should weigh career satisfaction and public service goals against earnings potential when considering this field.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminalistics and Criminal Science. | #18 | $34,638★ | — | 33 |
| Corrections Administration. | #195 | $31,967 | — | 76 |
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. leads other & interdisciplinary with 43K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.Small sample | #95 | $42,834★ | — | 19 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #138 | $39,166 | $19,022 | 127 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #57 | $34,932 | — | 107 |
| Court Interpreter. | #14 | $28,055 | — | 21 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | #36 | $26,353 | — | 24 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
