The University of Southern Mississippi, or USM, is a four-year, public university located primarily in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. The university was originally established on March 30, 1910, as the Mississippi Normal College and was a college for training teachers. USM now offers a wide variety of degrees and programs in diverse areas of study. It is organized into the following academic divisions:
The athletic teams of USM are nicknamed the Golden Eagles. Some of the notable alumni of the university are Jennifer Adcock, Miss Mississippi; Cat Cora, celebrity chef; and Chuck Scarborough, Emmy award-winning anchor at WNBC-TV.

The most common majors at the school are in nutrition and exercise therapy.
University Of Southern Mississippi does not have an open admissions system. Not everyone who applies is accepted. Only 25% of students scored 435 or lower in 2007 on the verbal SAT test. Math SAT scores at the school centered around 460 to 590, but ranged both higher and lower.
A tenure system is one way University Of Southern Mississippi works to keep a high-quality staff.
In 2007, 14,592 students were enrolled in the school.
University Of Southern Mississippi student athletes compete in Conference USA competitions.
More complete details are provided below.
University Of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive # 0001
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
General Phone: (601) 266-1000
http://WWW.USM.EDU
| General Category | Degrees | Most Common Majors [see all] |
|---|---|---|
| Education And Teaching | 553 | elementary school teaching, education, physical education teaching, educational administration, school counseling, music teaching, special ed, curriculum and instruction, ... |
| Business And Management | 495 | business management, accounting, human resources, marketing, finance, MIS, international business, managerial economics, ... |
| Liberal Arts | 353 | English, history, political science, library science, geography, foreign language and literature, sociology, anthropology, ... |
| Therapy And Counseling | 197 | psychology, counseling psychology, clinical social work, communication disorders services |
| Science | 194 | biology, chemistry, marine biology, oceanography, chemistry courses, physics, geology, biological and physical sciences |
| Nutrition And Exercise Therapy | 193 | health and physical education, sports and fitness management, athletic trainer, parks and recreation studies, dietitian, nutrition sciences |
| Nursing And Emergency Medicine | 188 | registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing science |
| Family And Social Work | 172 | social work, family systems, food and nutrition, foodservice management, family and consumer science, family and consumer economics |
| Media | 157 | journalism, communication studies, radio and television, advertising, public relations, communication and journalism |
| Engineering Technician | 111 | architectural engineering tech, industrial tech, engineering technology, computer engineering tech, electronics tech |
| Medical Support And Technology | 100 | audiology and speech pathology, clinical lab tech, health service and sciences |
| Security And Law Enforcement | 90 | criminal justice and safety, forensic science |
| Computer Science And Engineering | 85 | computer and info science, data processing tech, computer support |
| Medicine | 50 | public health |
| Music | 41 | music, music performance, music management |
| Drama And Performing Arts | 31 | drama, dance |
| Law | 30 | legal assistant |
| Mathematics | 26 | mathematics |
| Construction Trades | 25 | apparel and textiles |
| Hospitality | 22 | hotel management, hospitality administration |
| Art Studies | 17 | visual and performing arts |
| Engineering | 9 | plastics engineering |
| Architecture And Planning | 7 | interior architecture |
| Religion And Philosophy | 7 | philosophy, religion |
| Fine Arts | 2 | fine arts |
Number of programs and degrees for University Of Southern Mississippi in 2007:
| Degree Level | Total Awarded | Number of Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 2,277 | 76 |
| Master's degree | 714 | 58 |
| Doctor's degree | 111 | 25 |
| Post-master's certificate | 53 | 3 |
In 2007, University Of Southern Mississippi had a total enrollment of 14,592 students (12,724 full-time equivalent).
Students in the Freshman Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Men | 38% |
| Women | 62% |
| Full-Time | 99% |
| Part-Time | 1% |
Students By Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 81% |
| Graduate | 19% |
| Race | Percent |
|---|---|
| White | 67% |
| Black | 26% |
| Hispanic | 1% |
| Asian | 1% |
| American Indian | 0% |
| Unknown | 2% |
| (Foreign Students) | 2% |
Students by Age:
| Age | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 1% |
| 18-19 | 18% |
| 20-21 | 25% |
| 22-24 | 24% |
| 25-29 | 14% |
| 30-34 | 6% |
| 35-39 | 4% |
| 40-49 | 5% |
| 50-64 | 2% |
| 65+ | 0% |
Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence:
(From available data sampling)
| Residence | Percent |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 72% |
| Louisiana | 12% |
| Alabama | 8% |
| Florida | 2% |
| Texas | 1% |
| (International Students) | 1% |
| Georgia | 1% |
Retention Rates (2007):
| Group | Returning From Previous Year |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | 73 % |
| Part-Time | 25 % |
University Of Southern Mississippi offers campus housing for 3,400 of its 12,724 (full-time) students.
(Please refer to our profile of Hattiesburg, Mississippi for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Mississippi Colleges).
The school does not offer students a meal plan.
Acceptances:
| Group | Applicants | Accepted | Percent Accepted | Enrolled | Percent of Accepted Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 4,652 | 2,678 | 58% | 1,396 | 52% |
| Men | 1,855 | 1,025 | 55% | 536 | 52% |
| Women | 2,793 | 1,651 | 59% | 860 | 52% |
Standardized Test Scores:
| Test | 25th Percentile | 75th Percetile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT Verbal | 435 | 590 |
| SAT Math | 460 | 590 |
| ACT Verbal | 19 | 25 |
| ACT Math | 17 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 24 |
Application Requirements:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPA | required |
| Class Rank | required |
| High School Record | required |
| College Prep Program | required |
| Recommendations | recommended |
| Formal Demonstration of Competence | not required |
| Standardized Tests (SAT and/or ACT) | required |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting SAT | 3% |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting ACT | 97% |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | required |
| Other Standardized Tests | recommended |
Expenses and Financial Aid:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $ 4,914 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $ 11,692 |
| Room and board | $ 5,040 |
| Room charge | $ 3,018 |
| Board (meal plan) charge | $ 2,110 |
| Books and supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Other expenses | $ 3,000 |
Financial Aid:
University Of Southern Mississippi participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 244100)
University Of Southern Mississippi has a tenure system for faculty.
Tenure Status of Faculty (2007):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Tenured | 188 | 85 |
| Non-tenured, but on tenure track | 140 | 94 |
| Non-tenured and not on tenure track | 83 | 127 |
Salaries for full-time faculty:
Full-Time Faculty (2007):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | calendar year | 21 | $102,621 | 6 | $107,334 |
| Associate professor | calendar year | 18 | $87,820 | 10 | $94,725 |
| Assistant professor | calendar year | 4 | $93,145 | 6 | $85,535 |
| Instructor | calendar year | 3 | $61,199 | 12 | $46,774 |
| Lecturer | calendar year | 1 | * | 1 | * |
| All faculty total | calendar year | 47 | $92,503 | 35 | $77,764 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Full-Time Faculty (2007):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | academic year | 106 | $87,524 | 25 | $76,913 |
| Associate professor | academic year | 68 | $66,460 | 53 | $62,177 |
| Assistant professor | academic year | 146 | $55,610 | 107 | $53,623 |
| Instructor | academic year | 41 | $41,459 | 86 | $45,547 |
| Lecturer | academic year | 3 | $52,180 | 0 | * |
| All faculty total | academic year | 364 | $65,308 | 271 | $54,882 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Athletic Conferences:
| Sport | Conference |
|---|---|
| Football | Conference USA |
| Basketball | Conference USA |
| Baseball | Conference USA |
| Track | Conference USA |
Students on Athletic Scholarships (2007):
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 165 | 110 | 275 |
| Football | 86 | 0 | 86 |
| Track | 14 | 31 | 45 |
| Baseball | 35 | 0 | 35 |
| Basketball | 13 | 11 | 24 |
| All Other Sports | 17 | 68 | 85 |
ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING
Interior Architecture
ART STUDIES
Visual and Performing Arts, General
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
Business, Management, Marketing & Related Support Services, Other
Business/Managerial Economics
Finance, General
Human Resources Development
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
International Business/Trade/Commerce
Management Information Systems, General
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
CONSTRUCTION TRADES
Apparel and Textiles, General
DRAMA AND PERFORMING ARTS
Dance, General
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Adult and Continuing Education Administration
Art Teacher Education
Business Teacher Education
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Curriculum and Instruction
Education, General
Education, Other
Education/Teaching Individuals - Hearing Impairments
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Educational/Instructional Media Design
Elementary Education and Teaching
Foreign Language Teacher Education
Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
Music Teacher Education
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Secondary Education and Teaching
Special Education and Teaching, General
Special Education and Teaching, Other
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
ENGINEERING
Polymer/Plastics Engineering
ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
Architectural Engineering Technology/Technician
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician
Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engr Technology/Technician
Engineering Technology, General
Industrial Technology/Technician
FAMILY AND SOCIAL WORK
Family Systems
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Services, Other
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management
Social Work
FINE ARTS
Fine/Studio Arts, General
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality Administration/Management, Other
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
LIBERAL ARTS
American/United States Studies/Civilization
Anthropology
Development Economics and International Development
English Language and Literature, General
Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
Geography
History, General
International Relations and Affairs
Library Science/Librarianship
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Political Science and Government, General
Sociology
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics, General
MEDIA
Advertising
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Journalism
Public Relations/Image Management
Radio and Television
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
MEDICINE
Public Health, General (MPH, DPH)
MUSIC
Music Management and Merchandising
Music Performance, General
Music, General
NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Nursing Administration (MSN, MS, PhD)
Nursing Science (MS, PhD)
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THERAPY
Athletic Training/Trainer
Dietetics/Dietitian (RD)
Health and Physical Education, General
Nutrition Sciences
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy
Religion/Religious Studies
SCIENCE
Biological and Physical Sciences
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Chemistry, General
Chemistry, Other
Geology/Earth Science, General
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Oceanography, Chemical and Physical
Physics, General
SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
Forensic Science and Technology
THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Clinical/Medical Social Work
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services, Other
Counseling Psychology
Psychology, General
(Details are provided further down on this page.)
What Sets University Of Southern Mississippi Apart:
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of degree programs (vs. all colleges) | Top 3% | ![]() ![]() |
| Number of students (vs. all colleges) | Top 5% | ![]() ![]() |
| Faculty/student ratio (full-time) (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 10% | ![]() |
| Lowest tuition & fees (in-state) (vs. colleges with similar degree levels) | Top 15% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in music (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 15% | ![]() |
| Female % of student body (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 15% | ![]() |
| % of full-time faculty on tenure track (vs. all colleges) | Top 16% | ![]() |
| % students on athletic fin. aid (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 16% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in engineering technician (for colleges of its size and type) | Top 18% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in education and teaching (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 19% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in nutrition and exercise therapy (vs. all colleges) | Top 19% | ![]() |
Notable:
Accepts some high school credits
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers distance learning
Offers weekend classes
Career counseling
Career services
Student employment services
On-campus day care
Remedial classes for students
Option to study abroad
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
Offers campus housing
Tenure system for quality teaching
Has ROTC (army, air force)
Offers athletic scholarships
NCAA athletic conference member
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(Based on an automated mapping of degrees popular at University Of Southern Mississippi with government-defined occupation categories)
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