University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi · Public · 10,075 undergraduates · usm.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test optional
Sending scores is your choice
Acceptance rate
99%
of applicants
Annual cost (2027-28)
$27,850Est.Estimate
$29,970 out of state
University of Southern Mississippi is test optional for students starting in fall 2027: you choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. Applicants with a GPA below 3.2 must send one. Its acceptance rate is 99%. The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 20 to 29. A year in 2027-28 is expected to cost about $27,850 for in-state students and $29,970 for out-of-state students before financial aid.
Updated
Your chances and merit aid at University of Southern Mississippi
See your chances of admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Your admission chances
99% of applicants admitted
Target
Your ACT is inside the range where the middle half of enrolled freshmen scored.
Estimated merit aid
No estimate
That's for out-of-state students. .
Your cost before merit aid
$29,970
a year in 2027-28, from a $29,970 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1200
Not enough data to advise
There isn't enough data on this college's freshmen to say whether sending your SAT helps.
Fine-tune this advice
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your GPA, test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test optional
You choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. If you send one, it's considered.
- If your GPA is below 3.2, you must send a score.
Source: Applicants | Undergraduate Admissions | The University of Southern Mississippi · Checked November 3, 2026
Acceptance rate
99%
of applicants are admitted.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above.
ACT composite 20 to 29
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$27,850
a year, in state
$29,970
a year, out of state (tuition $13,230)
- Tuition (in state)$11,110
What families pay after aid
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$19,673
- $30,001 to $48,000$19,390
- $48,001 to $75,000$20,750
- $75,001 to $110,000$24,502
- Over $110,000$26,441
Financial aidEstimate
95%
of freshmen receive grants
$10,900
average grant to freshmen
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Freshman National Merit Finalist Scholarship package
Full tuition
National Merit
Deadline: List USM as first choice with NMSC (page lists May 1 as Finalist application deadline).
DetailsFreshman National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship package
Full tuition
National Merit
Details
Mississippi programs for residents
Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
$2,500 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.50+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Entering freshman; first certificate/associate/bachelor's program
Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
$500 to $1,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 2.50+ GPA, 15+ ACT, Entering freshman; must NOT be eligible for the maximum Federal Pell Grant (FAFSA); GED or homeschool alternatives to GPA
Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)
State program · In-state students
Tuition and required fees at a public institution; private: average tuition/fees of public 4-year (or 2-year) institutions
- 2.50+ GPA, 20+ ACT, Graduating high school senior; parents' average AGI <= $42,500 (+$5,000 per additional dependent child under 21); SAI at or below level for a minimum Pell Grant; graduated HS within prior 2 years; apply by Mar 31, documents by Apr 30
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
38 of 38
Earn credit with a score of 3
38 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,110Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 111 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 112 |
| Art History | 3 | 3 | ART 130 |
| Biology | 3 | 4 | BSC 110, 110L |
| Biology | 4 | 8 | BSC 110, 110L; BSC 111, 111L |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 3 | MAT 167 |
| Calculus AB | 4 | 6 | MAT 167, 168 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 3 | MAT 167 |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 6 | MAT 167, 168 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | CHE 106, 106L |
| Chemistry | 4 | 8 | CHE 106, 106L; 107, 107L |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | CHI 101 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | CHI 101, CHI 102 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | Political Science Elective |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 | CSC 101, 101L |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | Computer Science Elective |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ART 101 |
| Drawing | 4 | 6 | ART 101, 102 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 101 |
| English Language and Composition | 4 | 6 | ENG 101, 102 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 203 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | Biological Science Elective |
| European History | 3 | 3 | HIS 101 |
| European History | 4 | 6 | HIS 101, 102 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | FRE 101 |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | FRE 101, 102 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | GER 101 |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | GER 101, 102 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GHY 101 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | ITA 101 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | ITA 101, ITA 102 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | JPN 101 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | JPN 101, JPN 102 |
| Latin | 3 | 3 | LAT 101 |
| Latin | 4 | 6 | LAT 101, 102 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 201 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 202 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | MUS 101, 101L |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 | PHY 111, 111L |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 4 | PHY 112, 112L |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | PHY 202, 202L |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | PHY 201, 201L |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSY 110 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | IDS 101 |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | IDS 101 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPA 101 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 6 | SPA 101, 102 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPA 101 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | 6 | SPA 101, 102 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | MAT 115 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PS 101 |
| United States History | 3 | 3 | HIS 201 |
| United States History | 4 | 6 | HIS 201, 202 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 | HIS 101 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
54%
Come back for a second year
72%
Typical earnings
$47,355
a year, 10 years after starting here
- University of Southern Mississippi$52,967
- All colleges$71,390
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 46 majors here have earnings data.
Common questions about University of Southern Mississippi
Is University of Southern Mississippi test optional for fall 2027?
Yes. University of Southern Mississippi is test optional for students starting in fall 2027: you choose whether to send an SAT or ACT score. Applicants with a GPA below 3.2 must send one.
What SAT score do you need to get into University of Southern Mississippi?
The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 20 to 29. A quarter scored above that range and a quarter below it.
What ACT score do you need to get into University of Southern Mississippi?
The middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores had ACT scores of 20 to 29. A quarter scored above that range and a quarter below it.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern Mississippi?
The acceptance rate at University of Southern Mississippi is 99%.
How much does University of Southern Mississippi cost?
A year at University of Southern Mississippi in 2027-28 is expected to cost about $27,850 for in-state students and $29,970 for out-of-state students before financial aid. After grants and scholarships, freshmen who got federal aid paid $21,172 a year on average.
Does University of Southern Mississippi offer merit scholarships?
Yes. University of Southern Mississippi offers 2 merit scholarships, including the Freshman National Merit Finalist Scholarship package and the Freshman National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship package.
Does University of Southern Mississippi give credit for AP exams?
Yes. University of Southern Mississippi gives credit for all 38 AP exams it lists. A score of 3 earns credit on each of them.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with University of Southern Mississippi.