University of Southern Mississippi Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

University of Southern Mississippi Acceptance Rate

University of Southern Mississippi maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 99.4%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.

Admissions Guidelines

• Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
• Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive

Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 99.4% acceptance rate

Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range

Admission Category

Strategic Requirement

3.50 – 4.00

Target Match

Maintain Rigor & High Testing

3.30 – 3.49

Competitive Reach

Focus on Score Compensation

Below 3.05

Secondary Reach

Requires Contextual Support

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

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 3.20 and 3.5, a strong SAT or ACT score is recommended.

Check Your Admission Chances at University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi Test Requirements

In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.

Can I Get Into University of Southern Mississippi Without SAT or ACT?

University of Southern Mississippi Average SAT Score: 1120

The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Southern Mississippi is 1120 on the 1600 SAT scale.

SAT Competitiveness

SAT 1120 — Less Competitive

This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1120 on the SAT.

If your score is below 1080, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Southern Mississippi. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

It means that if you have scored less than 1080 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 1150 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 1100

Can I get into University of Southern Mississippi with a 1150 SAT?

With a 1150 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 23.

ACT Competitiveness

ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive

This score makes University of Southern Mississippi slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 23 on the ACT.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

Can I get into University of Southern Mississippi with a 27 ACT?

A 27 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Southern Mississippi — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Southern Mississippi use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.

Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.

One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Southern Mississippi — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Southern Mississippi uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.

Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 27 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 23

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi Profile

Is a University of Southern Mississippi Degree Worth It?

Compare Similar Colleges

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, you'll be competitive for these schools.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
Auburn University at Montgomery	Montgomery, AL	1090	21
Spring Hill College	Mobile, AL	1090	22
Troy University	Troy, AL	1086	22
Grand Canyon University	Phoenix, AZ	1095	22
University of the Ozarks	Clarksville, AR	1088	21
Pacific Union College	Angwin, CA	1093	22
Fort Lewis College	Durango, CO	1084	20
Colorado Mesa University	Grand Junction, CO	1070	23
University of Northern Colorado	Greeley, CO	1077	22
Central Connecticut State University	New Britain, CT	1091	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 is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

School	Location	SAT	ACT
University of South Alabama	Mobile, AL	1119	23
Tuskegee University	Tuskegee, AL	1121	22
Arkansas State University	Jonesboro, AR	1119	22
University of Central Arkansas	Conway, AR	1117	22
University of La Verne	La Verne, CA	1116	22

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, AL	1197	24
University of Arkansas	Fayetteville, AR	1174	25
Harding University	Searcy, AR	1187	25
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa, CA	1155	22
Dominican University of California	San Rafael, CA	1194	26

Degree Programs at University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor Degree Programs

Full list of all degree programs offered by University of Southern Mississippi →

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Southern Mississippi Admissions