SUNO vs. University of Southern Mississippi

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern University at New Orleans in New Orleans, LA with University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than SUNO based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 2,468 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern University at New Orleans is located in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting); University of Southern Mississippi is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
• Southern University at New Orleans is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern University at New Orleans 13:1; University of Southern Mississippi 18:1.

SUNO vs. University of Southern Mississippi Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNO or University of Southern Mississippi? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern University at New Orleans than University of Southern Mississippi ($14,480 vs. $15,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern University at New Orleans are 4.9% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($11,337 vs. $11,920).
• University of Southern Mississippi is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNO (about $1,944 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $8,054.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at SUNO than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $4,956 more per year; $16,954.00 vs. $11,998.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Southern University at New Orleans (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern University at New Orleans students is 3% larger than aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students ($11,231 vs. $10,900).

SUNO vs. University of Southern Mississippi Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNO or University of Southern Mississippi? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Southern Mississippi and SUNO.

• Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 17 at SUNO).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern University at New Orleans 820/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern University at New Orleans 15/20; University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNO - Required; University of Southern Mississippi - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNO Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 1.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SUNO (2.4).
• University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than SUNO (78.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.2% at SUNO vs. 25% at University of Southern Mississippi.

SUNO vs. University of Southern Mississippi Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNO and University of Southern Mississippi? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Southern Mississippi's six-year graduation rate is 47%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for SUNO.
• Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than SUNO graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern University at New Orleans graduates have a $652 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($24,348 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNO graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($251 vs. $258).
• More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNO students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 22%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.