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University of Southern Mississippi

1 Reviews

Salary Score

Bachelor's

 21

Master's

 12

Doctoral

 94

0% of 1 students said this degree improved their career prospects
0% of 1 students said they would recommend this school to others
By the OnlineU team | Updated 2/21/2023

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a public university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The school serves approximately 14,000 students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). USM — also known as Southern Miss — offers 52 online degree programs, including 21 online bachelor's degrees, 2 accelerated bachelor's-to-master's programs, 29 online master's degrees, and 1 doctorate. It also offers several online certificate programs for targeted skills enhancement. Fields of study range from technology and business to nursing and education.

Fast Facts

Average Financial Aid: $8,064

Accreditation: University of Southern Mississippi is acredited by 19 agencies

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Salary Score for Online Degrees at University of Southern Mississippi

Bachelor's Degrees

Business Administration, Management and Operations $24,820 $38,213 33
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Not Reported $29,840 26
Public Health $26,949 $28,418 23
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $18,831 $24,511 15
Marketing Not Reported $33,050 9
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services $31,000 $21,898 4
Human Resources Management and Services Not Reported $28,919 1

Master's Degrees

Business Administration, Management and Operations $17,572 $52,332 19

Doctoral Degrees

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $146,319 $157,573 96

FAQs About University of Southern Mississippi

Is The University of Southern Mississippi Online?


Yes, USM is online. According to the NCES, 20% of USM's undergraduates and 48% of its graduate students participate in courses entirely remotely. They enroll throughout USM's over 4 dozen online degree programs and certificates. 

Examples of online bachelor's degrees include elementary education, industrial engineering technology, public health, and construction management. Online master's degrees include business administration (MBA), higher education, public relations, and sport management.

Are Online Degrees From USM Legitimate?


Yes, USM's online degrees are legitimate because they come from an accredited institution. Employers respect online degrees from USM for the same reason.

USM is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master's and doctorate degrees, and certificates. The SACSCOC is an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The accreditation it confers to USM means it finds USM's financial practices sound and that its academic programming meets federal quality standards.

To provide the most trustworthy school available, OnlineU only includes accredited online institutions on its site.

Is USM a Good School?


Yes, USM is a good school, partially because of its favorable accreditation status. Also, the school has a tendency to attract and keep students, with a 72% retention rate, according to College Scorecard data. Its graduation rate is just under the national average at 51%. 

Additionally, USM has a diverse student body, with approximately 40% identifying as Black, Hispanic, Asian, and two or more races. This diversity encourages students to share and learn from different perspectives, enriching the overall experience. 

Additionally, USM is known for its Carnegie R1 classification due to its very high research activity. 

What Is USM Known For?


USM is known for being affordable. According to USM's website, it costs an average of $9,300 annually for an online bachelor's or master's degree if attending full time. It may not be one of the most affordable online colleges, but it's significantly less than the $25,700 average the Education Data Initiative reports.

To help make attending college even more affordable, USM is also known for its scholarships designed specifically for online students. Full-time students enrolled in USM's online undergraduate and graduate programs may be eligible to receive $500 if they have a minimum 2.5 GPA. 

Which Degrees at USM Provide the Highest Earnings for Graduates?


According to the U.S. Department's College Scorecard, USM's bachelor's degree in architectural engineering technologies, registered nursing, finance, and accounting provide the highest earnings. Graduates earn median annual salaries of approximately $66,700, $63,100, $60,400, and $49,100, accordingly. 

Additionally, OnlineU's proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alumni earn compared to graduates with the same degree nationwide. Out of 100 total points, USM has a bachelor's Salary Score of 21, 12 for its master's degrees, and 94 for its doctoral degrees.

Is Getting Into USM Difficult?


Getting into USM is very easy. According to College Scorecard, it accepts 96% of applicants, which is almost anyone who applies. However, applying for admission requires taking an entrance exam, such as the SAT or ACT. 

What Are the Admission Requirements for USM?


Although individual degree programs may have additional requirements, USM's admission requirements for first-year students generally include the following:

  • An application 
  • A $45 application fee
  • Official high school transcripts showing a minimum 2.0 GPA and the completion of the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC), or a GED
  • Official college transcripts, if transferring credits
  • Official military transcripts, if applicable
  • ACT scores of 16 or higher and equivalent SAT scores

If you're still exploring schools, we've identified some of the most popular online colleges to help with your search.

Student Reviews

Student Reviews

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Tom

Reviewed: 10/8/2018

Degree: Industrial Engineering

This is the worse university I have ever attended. If you are a veteran looking for a va-friendly school, DO NOT ATTEND HERE! They will not let you enroll in next semester classes until all of your GI bill money has come in and you have paid your entire semester in full! All us veterans know that our stipend doesn't come in full one time, it comes month after month. This means if you want to attend this university you have to have money up front, otherwise classes fill up before you get your GI Bill... Read More