True College Verdict
F

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · 10,075 undergraduates · 49% receive Pell Grants · admits 99%
PublicMainly bachelor's degrees

Among the weakest of its kind. Look at alternatives before enrolling. It ranks 1,323 of 1,755 four-year colleges on student outcomes, with an overall score of 34.4 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
About average
Average net price $21,172 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $19,899.
Will most students finish?
About half
53% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 59%.
Is it worth the price?
Mixed
Graduates owe a typical $19,687 against earnings of $47,355, a ratio of 0.42. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

Student reviews are coming soon

We are rebuilding how students share their experiences, so for now this page shows only the federal numbers and our written summaries. Check back soon.

Why it is good

Nothing stands out as clearly better than similar colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Low pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $47,355, lower than 80% of four-year colleges.
  • Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $19,687 in federal loans against earnings of $47,355.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
53%
Better than 36% of similar colleges. Typical: 59%
Return for year 2
72%
Better than 36% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$47,355
Better than 20% of similar colleges. Typical: $58,912
Debt at graduation
$19,687
Better than 32% of similar colleges. Typical: $21,609
Net price per year
$21,172
Better than 45% of similar colleges. Typical: $19,899
Published tuition
$10,394
Out of state: $12,394

Programs and early earnings

Bachelor's degrees: largest programs

Certificates and diplomas: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Student reviews and questions are coming soon to this site. In the meantime, other sources:

Compare with other colleges Estimate your cost

The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other four-year colleges. Individual majors can be much better or worse.