University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$14,923
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$12,382
$30k - $48k
$12,126
$48k - $75k
$14,959
$75k - $110k
$18,383
$110k+
$18,602
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$9,450
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$11,450
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,338
Books and Supplies
$1,400
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
72%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
47%
Average Aid Per Year
$8,623
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
47%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,219
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,972
Students receiving state aid
39%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$3,047
Students receiving federal aid
50%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,219
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$44,912,012
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$35,422,313

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
61%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,907
Students receiving federal loans
59%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,553
Average Other Loans Per Year
$11,018
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,808
Loan Default Rate
9%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$220

What Students Are Saying

It's a tad expensive if you're not a Mississippi resident or didn't get the out of state fee wavered. But it's worth it no matter how expensive it can be.
Janna from Slidell, LA
Tuition for USM is one of the highest in the state for a public university. Combined with on-campus residency, which means housing and meal plan costs, it can become expensive. This said, it is totally worth the money. Tuition covers a variety of things, including admission to sporting events and access to the campus gym. The number of activities provided for free on campus help ease the strain of college living expenses. The cost is basically an investment in education, and, as the old saying goes, you get that for which you have paid.
Scarlett from Raleigh, MS
For what the university charges for tuition, the students receive the maximum benefit. Just wished the books were not so expensive.
Angela from Hattiesburg, MS
This is probably one of the best financial deal in a four year college you will find in Mississippi and even the nation. USM has a very financially acceptable price. The admission, tuition, and total cost of being admitted into Southern is a great deal. All the student activities, services, education, and living are more than you could ask for in the amount you pay to attend this college. Some people pay twice triple and even ten times more the amount of USM tuition and get the same student education and services. I would say you definitely get the most of what you pay and maybe even more.
Gabriella from Madison, MS
It's worth the money. The education is great, as are the teachers.
SMTTT2017
Living on campus is costly but there are many other colleges that cost way more. I don't like how they give you dining dollars dollar for dollar. I think there should be some special package or deal.
Charlene from Milwaukee, WI
Southern Miss is pretty affordable, especially if you are in state. There are lots of scholarships available, as well as financial aid through loans and grants. It is one of the cheapest public universities in the state, while still providing a quality education to the students.
Linda from Hattiesburg, MS
USM is a state school so the tuition is relatively low compared to others. They have a great academic program and prove that you can get an excellent education without paying an Ivy League price. In 2010 dorms ranged from 1500 to 2500 depending on whether the room was single or double, or community or private bath. I considered this a very good price because everything's included, internet, cable, water, heat, and even laundry. The basic meal plan includes all you eat at the cafeteria called the Fresh Food Co. Also with your tuition you receive free entry into sporting events and use of the Payne Center.
Erika from Gulfport, MS
Out of all the schools I was researching, Southern was definitely the most cost efficient! My tuition is under $8000 a semester!
Azaria from Long Beach, MS