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University of Southern Mississippi

#267 in US ranking Hattiesburg, MS
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Southern Mississippi award
University of Southern Mississippi award

Cost

Cost / year
$26,527
Tuition & fees
$11,004
Avg. aid
$10,055
Receiving aid
97%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
99%
ACT range
20–29

Outcomes

Graduation rate
49%
Median salary
$40,977
1 yr after graduation

What does University of Southern Mississippi offer in terms of athletics?

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles compete in NCAA Division I athletics and the Sun Belt Conference. Varsity sports include football, baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball, beach volleyball, and track-and-field disciplines, among others.

Varsity teams involve recruiting and eligibility rules. Students who want to play sports without joining a varsity roster should look separately at the university's current club, intramural, and recreation offerings; a sport listed among campus activities is not necessarily an NCAA team. Campus recreation and fitness facilities provide another way to be active without competing for the university.

What student groups and Associations are available at University of Southern Mississippi?

Southern Miss students can participate in recognized organizations spanning student government, academic interests, service, cultural communities, faith and philosophy, performing arts, and social activities. Fraternities and sororities are another option for students interested in Greek life.

Representative outlets for involvement include student media, theater and music groups, and organizations tied to a student's major or intended profession. Organization rosters and activity levels change, so the university's current student-organization directory is more useful than an older list when choosing a group or finding its meeting information. Joining an organization is different from using a university-run service such as advising or counseling.

Who studies at University of Southern Mississippi?

Southern Miss enrolled 13,170 students in the reported 2024-25 figures. The intake included 1,745 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 1,408 transfer-in students, making transfer pathways a significant part of the enrollment picture.

About 66% of students were reported as Mississippi residents, 23% came from other U.S. states, and 11% from other countries. Students of traditional college age form a substantial share of enrollment, but approximately three in ten students in the reported age counts were 25 or older. That matters for applicants looking for peers who are returning to school or balancing study with other responsibilities.

Separate demographic reporting counted 5,671 White students and 2,783 Black or African American students, as well as students in other reported racial and ethnic categories. Such counts describe enrollment; they should not be used to infer any individual's experience or assume that students at different campuses have identical day-to-day communities.

How does student life look like at University of Southern Mississippi?

Everyday student life at Southern Miss combines residential activities with a substantial commuter population. Reported figures place 19% of students in campus housing and 63% in the commuting category, so students' schedules and opportunities to spend time on campus can differ markedly.

Orientation, student programming, recreation, performances, and athletics give students ways to meet others outside class. The university also reports access to a health clinic, personal or psychological counseling, a veterans affairs office, and other student-support services. Applicants considering a location other than Hattiesburg should check which activities and services operate there in person, rather than assume the same schedule across campuses.

Southern Miss has a marching band, choral groups, theater activity, a student-run newspaper, and student radio. Those outlets can be particularly relevant to students who want regular creative or production work alongside their academic program.

What libraries are available to students at University of Southern Mississippi?

Cook Memorial Library is the principal library associated with the Hattiesburg campus. Southern Miss also reports five campus libraries or library locations, reflecting resources that extend beyond a single main building.

Library services include research materials, digital resources, and spaces for studying; students can reserve study rooms. The university's library system also maintains specialized collections and archival materials useful for more advanced research. Students working remotely or at another campus should check access to electronic databases, borrowing arrangements, research help, and interlibrary loan for their location.

Reported library information does not identify a study area that stays open 24 hours a day throughout a five- or seven-day week. Students who rely on late-night study space should check current building hours, particularly during breaks and examination periods.

University of Southern Mississippi Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

13170

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1754

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

678 full time, 139 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

University of Southern Mississippi Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 10,193
Graduate: 2,977

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 10,108
Part-time: 3,062

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 1,090
Men: 664

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 477
Black or African American: 2,783
White: 5,671
American Indian or Alaska Native: 45
Asian: 132
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 7
Two or more races: 381
Unknown: 186

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

University of Southern Mississippi Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Badminton

–Both–

Baseball

MenMenMen

Basketball

BothBothBoth

Bowling

–Both–

Cheerleading

Both––

Cross-country running

WomenWomenWomen

Football

MenMenMen

Golf

BothBothBoth

Racquetball

–Both–

Rugby

–Men–

Soccer

WomenWomenWomen

Softball

WomenWomenWomen

Tennis

BothBothBoth

Track and field

BothBothBoth

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

WomenWomenWomen

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.