Hattiesburg, MS · Private University
Is University of Southern Mississippi Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$44,140
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,618
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,618
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$46,472
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.80x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
50.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,224
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Southern Mississippi graduates earn $860 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Southern Mississippi ranked by graduate earnings
32 graduates
56 graduates
250 graduates
16 graduates
40 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Southern Mississippi
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Southern Mississippi, the gap between the highest-earning major (Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians: $75,493) and the lowest (Public Health: $25,122) is $50,371/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansBest ROI(1yr data) | $75,493 | 6.5x |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $66,725 | 5.7x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,071 | 5.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $60,363 | 5.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,061 | 4.2x |
| Marketing | $48,470 | 4.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,711 | 3.9x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $42,953 | 3.7x |
| Journalism | $41,330 | 3.6x |
| Social Work | $39,608 | 3.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $39,166 | 3.4x |
| Biology, General | $38,258 | 3.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities(1yr data) | $37,800 | 3.3x |
| Data Processing(1yr data) | $37,734 | 3.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,496 | 3.1x |
| History | $35,660 | 3.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,932 | 3.0x |
| Psychology, General | $32,661 | 2.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,967 | 2.8x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management(1yr data) | $26,619 | 2.3x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies(1yr data) | $25,354 | 2.2x |
| Public HealthLowest | $25,122 | 2.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Southern Mississippi stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $44,140 10 years after starting, $860 below the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.1 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.