About University of Southern Mississippi

Founded in 1910, University of Southern Mississippi. is a Public college. Located in Mississippi, which is a city setting in Mississippi, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 11,779 full time undergraduate students, and 2,773 full time graduate students.

The University of Southern Mississippi Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 17:1. There are 680 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Southern Mississippi include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate60%
Application Deadline
Application Fee40
SAT Range940-1190
ACT Range20-26

Admissions at USM are considered Selective, with ,69% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 30 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

78% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 44% were in the top quarter, and 18% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Southern Mississippi.

4%
“We”re apathetic”
25%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
3%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
17%
“We bought the gear”
80%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
6%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
62%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
24%
“We”re a very artistic group”
8%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
56%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
14%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
9%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
11%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
51%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
25%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
18%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
72%
“There might be people who do”
6%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
4%
“We”re apathetic”
25%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
8%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
27%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
3%
“I only go out in groups”
37%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
3%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
17%
“We bought the gear”
80%
“We live for the big game”
8%
“It”s not really our thing”
6%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
62%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
24%
“We”re a very artistic group”
8%
“Haven”t met them”
4%
“Available in class”
56%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
14%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
75%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
9%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
11%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
51%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
25%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
18%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
72%
“There might be people who do”
6%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

University of Southern Mississippi REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    162 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 26 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    123 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    179 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    183 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    184 Students rated class size 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    182 Students rated school activities 3.9 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    184 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 52 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    182 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of University of Southern Mississippi?

94 Students rated University of Southern Mississippi

AKayshia - 06/21/2023

I think that, overall, it is a very good school. The campus is so welcoming to everyone, and it is very easy to make friends. The places to eat are good, and the staff is excellent. Plus, it's a beautiful campus. There's always something to do on campus, and there's a club for everyone! The most important things to me on campus are the multicultural inclusion centers and the lgbt hangout space, as it offers an inclusive safe space. The counselors are also really nice to have.

Jazmyn - 01/10/2023

The University of Southern Mississippi is very friendly and loves involving its students. There are many events to keep students engaged outside the classroom. There are too many opportunities to get to know your fellow eagles from across the globe. USM is also very active on social media, ensuring everyone is up to date with sports, events, scholarships, camps, and more. Hattiesburg is beautiful and has many outlets and nearby stores for students to explore.

Amari - 07/26/2022

At first, I wasn't too interested into attending, but as soon as I stepped on campus all of that changed. The campus is beautiful, the view is just do relaxing. The people are nice, students, staff everyone makes the school feels like home. There are always amazing events going on and amazing opportunities to meet new people.

Emily - 01/09/2022

USM is what you make of it. I believe the school doesn’t live up to it’s full potential but it’s not the worse school in the world.

University of Southern Mississippi FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at University of Southern Mississippi?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Southern Mississippi is 60%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I have obtained a great job and I am on the rise. Without my degree, I would not be where I am today.

    Read all  171 answers
  3. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Here at the University of Southern Miss, the atmosphere is great and so are the people.

    Read all  38 answers
  4. What's unique about your campus?

    My school is very social and warm. I don't belive anyone who goes here feels that he or she is out of place. There's something for everyone.

    Read all  35 answers
  5. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I knew everything I need to know before I came to USM.

    Read all  31 answers
  6. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    When I attended USM, the school was transitioning into a 'walking campus'. I liked the idea of reducing traffic and promoting exercise and safety but it cut down the amount of convenient parking for off-campus students (like me). Also, the campus is huge and very spread out so if you have two classes on opposite sides of the campus, you may find yourself jogging a bit to make it. If this is my biggest complaint then I'm reeeeealy stretching to find something frustrating about my school.

    Read all  29 answers
  7. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    Southern Miss University is an awesome school to attend. The unique thing about my school is they are very organized and care about your future. I have talked to some of my friends and they have told me that the schools they attend do not care about their well being and grades. Southern Miss will post your grades th next day, send you emails, and updates about things going on throughout the campus. I love Southern Miss, this have been my first choice of school before I graduated high school.

    Read all  29 answers
  8. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are a group of well-rounded, "different" individuals. I am blessed to have found a group of people who are so like-minded to myself. We are all very artistic in that we express ourselves through visual art and written words.

    Read all  25 answers
  9. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    It is so hard to get into graduate school. Entrance shouldn't be based solely on GPA and GRE scores. People learn different.

    Read all  24 answers
  10. What kind of person should attend this school?

    I think creative and curious people should come to my school. It is full of adventure and good times and you just know how to embrace it. Southern has some of the greatest school spirit around and its really important you can be a part of that as well. I feel only people who can leave USM better than they found it should come here.

    Read all  24 answers
  11. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    My school has an awesome amount of school pride, the teachers are interactive and interesting, and it's almost impossible to fail due to the large amount of help with tutorial labs, help centers for writing and speech, and an amazing computer lab with tools for any field of study.

    Read all  23 answers
  12. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    The type of person that isn't fit for this school is people that don't do good around a mass group of people.

    Read all  20 answers
  13. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    USM is best know for it's school pride.

    Read all  17 answers
  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    best thing is the cordial staff in the administration, pleasant atmosphere far away from the busy cities, close to the party place new orleans an hour and a half drive from the school,

    Read all  3 answers
  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    Challenging

    Read all  1 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Greek life for sure!!

    Read all  1 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    to the top.. USM.. football fanatics

    Read all  1 answers
  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    yeah

    Read all  1 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    We accept each other. We have forums to discuss beliefs, interests, trials, triumphs, etc. We support choice of life. We all get together a lot. It is up to the individual to speak to us about the things we do not see occurring to them. We never make a person tell about their problems, but we announce by flyers, over the intercoms in class, email, text, bulletins, etc. what meetings, support group, all types of outreach projects available, and more. You must believe in yourself and your ability to succeed in life We will stand beside you and help lift you up, but we cannot live for you.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

63%

female

37%

male

11,779

Total Undergrad Enrollment

2,773

Total Grad Students

27%

Out-Of-State

65%

In-State

8%

International

Organizations

280

Student Organizations

16

Fraternities

12

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

21%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
29%
% Hispanic/Latino
3%
% White or Caucasian
61%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

97% of students attending University of Southern Mississippi receive some sort of financial aid. 50% were awarded federal grants. While 63% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$16,529

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$9,012

Room and Board

26,741

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$11,645
$30 - $48K
$11,741
$48 - $75K
$14,060
$75 - $110K
$13,608
$110K & UP
$13,845

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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