University of Southern Mississippi is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Southern Mississippi is 100%. This means that all applicants are admitted.
How Competitive are University of Southern Mississippi Admissions?
- Not Competitive: Applicants with satisfactory academics can easily secure admission.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

However, a 100% acceptance rate or open admission policy does not guarantee admission. Every institution has minimum eligibility criteria. If you meet these conditions, then you can be certain of admission. Additionally, to secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies.
University of Southern Mississippi Admission Requirements
University of Southern Mississippi GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at University of Southern Mississippi is 3.5. University of Southern Mississippi is highly selective.
Mostly A’s with a few B’s will keep you competitive. Taking AP/IB courses related to your field will improve your chances.
If your GPA is between 3.2 and 3.5, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended. You need at least a 3.1 GPA to secure admission.
Can I Get Into University of Southern Mississippi Without SAT Or ACT?: University of Southern Mississippi requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine the merit for admission. It means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
University of Southern Mississippi SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
University of Southern Mississippi Average SAT Score: 1150
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Southern Mississippi is 1150 on the 1600 SAT scale.
University of Southern Mississippi SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1150 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (0 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Southern Mississippi allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 0, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to University of Southern Mississippi. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
University of Southern Mississippi SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Reading | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Composite | 1150 | 0 | 0 |
It means that if you have scored less than 0 then you are below most of the admitted students at University of Southern Mississippi and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 0 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Southern Mississippi with a 0 SAT?
With a 0 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Southern Mississippi are good but the admission staff at University of Southern Mississippi tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
University of Southern Mississippi ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at University of Southern Mississippi is 24.
University of Southern Mississippi ACT Competitiveness

This score makes University of Southern Mississippi slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 24 on the ACT.
University of Southern Mississippi ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
ACT English | 24 | 20 | 28 |
ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 27 |
Can I get into University of Southern Mississippi with a 27 ACT?
With a 27 ACT Score, your chances of admission at University of Southern Mississippi are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at University of Southern Mississippi. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 24.University of Southern Mississippi Profile
Name: University of Southern Mississippi
City: Hattiesburg
URL: https://www.usm.edu/
State: Mississippi
Type: Public
Zip: 39406-0001
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
How much does a degree from University of Southern Mississippi Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of Southern Mississippi is USD: 24425. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Southern Mississippi is USD: 13744
How can I get a scholarship?
46.62% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 51.09 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to University of Southern Mississippi and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of Southern Mississippi, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist University of Southern Mississippi as your choice in the form.
How much a University of Southern Mississippi Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the University of Southern Mississippi graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 44140. An average University of Southern Mississippi graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Southern Mississippi. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of University of Southern Mississippi, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
Southern California Institute of Architecture | Southern California Institute of Architecture, CA | 1100 | NA |
University of Northern Colorado | University of Northern Colorado, CO | 1106 | 24 |
Western Connecticut State University | Western Connecticut State University, CT | 1126 | 24 |
Lynn University | Lynn University, FL | 1126 | 24 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Southern Mississippi. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for University of Southern Mississippi, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO | 1150 | 24 |
Fort Lewis College | Fort Lewis College, CO | 1147 | 22 |
Regis University | Regis University, CO | 1149 | 24 |
Western Colorado University | Western Colorado University, CO | 1154 | 25 |
Florida International University | Florida International University, FL | 1154 | 24 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Southern Mississippi. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1218 | 26 |
University of Mobile | University of Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
Samford University | Samford University, AL | 1227 | 26 |
University of Arizona | University of Arizona, AZ | 1229 | 25 |
Harding University | Harding University, AR | 1182 | 24 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Anthropology
- Apparel and Textiles
- Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians
- Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Business/Managerial Economics
Full list of All degree programs offered by University of Southern Mississippi.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.