University of Southern Mississippi vs. OC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS with Olympic College in Bremerton, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than OC based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 5,784 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting); Olympic College is in Bremerton, WA (Small City setting).
• University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Olympic College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Mississippi 18:1; Olympic College 17:1.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. OC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or OC? 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 Olympic College than University of Southern Mississippi ($8,157 vs. $15,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Olympic College are 11.9% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($10,500 vs. $11,920).
• University of Southern Mississippi is 138.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than OC (about $5,801 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $4,197.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at University of Southern Mississippi than at Olympic College (about $2,258 more per year; $11,998.00 vs. $9,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at Olympic College (95% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 55.6% larger than aid received by Olympic College students ($10,900 vs. $7,007).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. OC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Mississippi or OC? 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 OC and University of Southern Mississippi.

• Olympic College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; OC - Open admission.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. OC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and OC? 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).

• Graduates from University of Southern Mississippi earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than OC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $35,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Olympic College graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($12,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, OC graduates have an estimated $134 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($124 vs. $258).
• More University of Southern Mississippi graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 39%)

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.