University of Southern Mississippi vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS with University of Wisconsin River Falls in River Falls, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Mississippi is larger than University of Wisconsin-River Falls based on total student enrollment (13,170 students vs. 5,243 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
• University of Southern Mississippi is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin River Falls is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Mississippi 18:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Mississippi or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin River Falls than University of Southern Mississippi ($14,769 vs. $15,095).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 33% lower than at University of Southern Mississippi ($7,982 vs. $11,920).
• University of Southern Mississippi is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $990 more per year; $9,998.00 vs. $9,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.6% higher at University of Wisconsin-River Falls than at University of Southern Mississippi (about $5,472 more per year; $17,470.00 vs. $11,998.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Mississippi than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Mississippi students is 161% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($10,900 vs. $4,176).

University of Southern Mississippi vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Mississippi or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and University of Southern Mississippi.

• Incoming University of Southern Mississippi students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (22).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Mississippi 19/26; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Mississippi - Required; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Southern Mississippi students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (3.44).
• University of Southern Mississippi has a higher acceptance rate (99.1%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25% at University of Southern Mississippi vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

University of Southern Mississippi vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Mississippi and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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).

• University of Wisconsin River Falls's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than University of Southern Mississippi's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than University of Southern Mississippi graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin River Falls graduates have a $2,275 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($22,725 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Mississippi graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Mississippi students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 54%)

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.