University of Southern Mississippi vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Mississippi 18:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than University of Southern Mississippi ($14,546 vs. $15,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 30.4% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($8,300 vs. $11,920).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Mississippi (about $926 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $9,998.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.8% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $1,074 more per year; $11,998.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at University of Southern Mississippi (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 5.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($10,900 vs. $10,358).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Mississippi or The University of Tennessee Southern? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between The University of Tennessee Southern and University of Southern Mississippi.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at The University of Tennessee Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsThe University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than The University of Tennessee Southern (86.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25% at University of Southern Mississippi vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and The University of Tennessee Southern? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of Southern Mississippi's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $2,685 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($22,315 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($230 vs. $258).
• More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Tennessee Southern students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 43%)

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.