University of Southern Mississippi (USM) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About University of Southern Mississippi
Tucked into the piney woods, Southern Miss in Hattiesburg has a reputation for pairing practical learning with close faculty mentorship. Students lean into strengths in science and engineering, health and human sciences, teacher preparation, arts and design, business and communication. The campus feels green and walkable, with a beloved rose garden, studios and labs beside performance spaces and a well used library.
Life here is lively but down to earth. You'll find a busy rec center, club sports, outdoor trips on a popular rail-trail, and plenty of music, festivals and local eats off campus. Advising, tutoring, counseling and career coaching sit close at hand, and internships with regional employers help turn classwork into résumés. Game days bring the Eagle Walk and the familiar call of Southern Miss to the Top. Graduates include Brett Favre and Jimmy Buffett, and the alumni network stays active across the Gulf South.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
University of Southern Mississippi (USM) offers 103 degree programs across 27 major academic fields, graduating approximately 3,987 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (17 programs, 699 graduates), Education (13 programs, 534 graduates), Health (13 programs, 500 graduates), Kinesiology (3 programs, 235 graduates) and Psychology (2 programs, 219 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (17 programs, 699 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 323 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 78 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Marketing Management | 70 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.1401 |
| Finance, General | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.0801 |
| Construction Management | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.2001 |
| Human Resources Development | 30 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1005 |
| Research and Development Management | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0210 |
| Human Resources Management | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1001 |
| Business Economics | 15 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
52.0601 |
| Hospitality Management | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
52.0999 |
| Marketing | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1499 |
| Business Administration | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0101 |
| Transportation and Mobility Management | 6 |
|
Master's
|
52.0209 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0203 |
| International Business and Trade | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Business and Management Services | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.9999 |
| Fashion Merchandising | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1902 |
Education (13 programs, 534 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 172 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Higher Education Administration | 126 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0406 |
| General Education | 108 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| Music Teacher Education | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1312 |
| Foreign Language Teacher Education | 27 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1306 |
| Secondary Education and Teaching | 17 |
|
Master's
|
13.1205 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 16 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1314 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 10 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Special Education Teaching | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Science Teacher Education | 5 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1316 |
| Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities | 3 |
|
Master's
|
13.1011 |
| Instructional Technology | 2 |
|
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0501 |
Health (13 programs, 500 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 170 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology | 89 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0204 |
| Public Health | 86 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Nursing Practice | 37 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3818 |
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.9999 |
| Therapeutic Recreation | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2309 |
| Dietetics | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3101 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.1005 |
| Clinical Social Work | 13 |
|
Master's
|
51.1503 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing | 13 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.3810 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 8 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0299 |
| Nursing Science | 8 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3808 |
| Athletic Training | 1 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
Kinesiology (3 programs, 235 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 149 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
31.0504 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0501 |
Psychology (2 programs, 219 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 201 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 18 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
Library Science (1 programs, 205 graduates)
Information Management, Library Systems and Data Organization
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Library and Information Science | 205 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
25.0101 |
Computer & IT (4 programs, 170 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 113 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0101 |
| Data Processing Technology | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0301 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.1003 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, Other | 6 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
11.9999 |
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 166 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 112 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1302 |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 21 |
|
Master's
|
26.1311 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 4 |
|
Master's
|
26.0102 |
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 153 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 112 |
|
Bachelor's
|
24.0101 |
| General Studies | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
|
24.0102 |
Arts (8 programs, 150 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intermedia and Multimedia | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0706 |
| Music | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0101 |
| Theatre Arts | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0501 |
| Music Performance | 19 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0903 |
| Studio Arts, General | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0702 |
| Dance | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Music Management | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.1003 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
How much does it cost to attend University of Southern Mississippi (USM)?
The annual tuition at University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is $9,618 for in-state students and $11,618 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $27,102 for in-state students and $29,102 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,664 (on) / $9,868 (off) and books and supplies $840.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does University of Southern Mississippi offer?
University of Southern Mississippi (USM) offers 103 academic programs across 27 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (17 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (13 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (13 programs)
- Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation (3 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for University of Southern Mississippi?
University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has an 99.4% acceptance rate and a 19.8% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 8,818
- Students admitted: 8,763
- Students enrolled: 1,733
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of Southern Mississippi?
University of Southern Mississippi (USM) provides financial aid to 16% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $11,000 and average loans of $6,937.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,721
- State/Local grants: $3,469
- Institutional grants: $7,670
- Federal loans: $5,424
The university supports 1,483 students with grants and 870 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for University of Southern Mississippi graduates?
University of Southern Mississippi (USM) graduates earn a median salary of $37,710 after 6 years and $44,140 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $28,070 (25th percentile) to $66,054 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $74,400 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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