University of Southern Mississippi

Overview

Acronyms: USM

Founded: 1910

Control Type: Public

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #1750

Rank in United States: #230

Colours: Black and gold

Mascot: Seymour d'Campus

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Founded in 1910, the University of Southern Mississippi is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Hattiesburg (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Mississippi.

Officially accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a large-sized coeducational US higher education institution. University of Southern Mississippi (USM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.

This 113-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 90-99% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

USM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Address, contact details, and online presence for University of Southern Mississippi are summarised below. Cross-check with the official website if you intend to send documents or financial information.

Academic Details

Academic statistics for University of Southern Mississippi — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.

Academic Structures

University of Southern Mississippi's teaching architecture in the units below. New faculties (formed in the last decade) signal where the institution is investing for the future.

Programs Offered

Look through University of Southern Mississippi's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.

How to apply to University of Southern Mississippi

A short guide to applying to University of Southern Mississippi — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.

1. 1
   Find a programme that fits your goals

   Use the programme finder to browse University of Southern Mississippi's 162 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

2. 2
   Confirm you meet the requirements

   Programme-level requirements at University of Southern Mississippi typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

3. 3
   Assemble your application package

   Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

4. 4
   Submit your application

   University of Southern Mississippi processes applications through www.usm.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

5. 5
   Contact admissions and follow up

   Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (601) 266 1000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about University of Southern Mississippi

Concise answers to the most-searched questions about University of Southern Mississippi, useful as a quick orientation before exploring the rest of the profile.

Top-Ranked Universities in the United States

Below are the highest-ranked universities in the United States — natural comparison points for University of Southern Mississippi. Top institutions in the United States typically have the strongest international recognition and graduate-school placement.

Harvard University

Cambridge · Private · Rank #1

Stanford University

Stanford · Private · Rank #8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore · Private · Rank #13

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge · Private · Rank #16

University of Washington

Seattle · Public · Rank #19

Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Universities affiliated with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) typically share standards on quality assurance, mobility programmes, and research collaboration. These fellow members are worth knowing if University of Southern Mississippi's affiliation matters to your shortlisting. Cross-membership institutions often facilitate joint events and credit transfer.

Shippensburg University

Shippensburg · Public · Rank #21

Cornell University

Ithaca · Private · Rank #25

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley · Public · Rank #41

Duke University

Durham · Private · Rank #48

New York University

New York City · Private · Rank #49

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Cost of living varies meaningfully across cities and towns hosting the universities below. Even within a single region, accommodation and transit costs can differ by 30–50%.

North Carolina State University

Raleigh · Public · Rank #184

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State · Public · Rank #801

Liberty University

Lynchburg · Private · Rank #2331

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Philadelphia · Private · Rank #3138

American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists

Meridian · Est. 1957

Where Else to Study Education & Teaching

Education & Teaching is taught at multiple universities across the United States — these alternatives to University of Southern Mississippi are worth weighing. Each programme reflects different academic traditions, industry connections, and research priorities.

University of Chicago

Chicago · Private · Rank #53

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill · Public · Rank #60

Northwestern University

Evanston · Private · Rank #63

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis · Public · Rank #70

University of Florida

Gainesville · Public · Rank #71

Universities Often Compared with University of Southern Mississippi

Cross-institutional admissions sharing exists in some networks — peers of University of Southern Mississippi sometimes accept shared application materials or recognise admissions decisions. Worth checking when batching applications.

University of Dayton

Dayton · Private · Rank #1742

Borough of Manhattan Community College

New York · Rank #1758

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock · Public · Rank #1760

New York City College of Technology

Brooklyn · Public · Rank #1739

Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS at ODU

Norfolk · Public · Rank #1762