First-year deadlines, 2026–27
| Plan | Entry term | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Priority deadline Apply by this date for the best chance at aid or a place; later applications may still be read. | Spring | January 20, 2027 |
Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean
Source: usm.edu · checked September 30, 2026
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026
AP credit
Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit| Exam | Min score | University of Southern Mississippi course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 3 | 4 | |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | ||
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | |
| Computer Science A | 4 |
Show all 36 exams and every score level
| Exam | Min score | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 3 | 4 | |
| Biology | 4 | 8 | |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | |
| Chemistry | 4 | 8 | |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | |
| English Language and Composition | 4 | 6 | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | ||
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | |
| Computer Science A | 4 | ||
| Macroeconomics | 3 | ||
| Microeconomics | 3 | ||
| World History: Modern | 3 | ||
| Environmental Science | 3 | ||
| Physics 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| European History | 3 | 3 | |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | ||
| Art History | 3 | ||
| Music Theory | 3 | 3 | |
| Art, 2-D Design | 3 | ||
| Art, 3-D Design | 3 | ||
| Art, Drawing | 3 | 3 | |
| Art, Drawing | 4 | 6 | |
| Chinese Language or Culture | 3 | 3 | |
| Chinese Language or Culture | 4 | 6 | |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | ||
| French Language or Literature | 3 | 3 | |
| Geography, Human | 3 | ||
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | |
| Gov’t. and Politics U.S | 3 | ||
| History, American or U.S | 3 | 3 | |
| Italian Language or Culture | 3 | 3 | |
| Japanese Language or Culture | 3 | 3 | |
| Latin | 3 | 3 | |
| Math, Calculus, AB or BC | 3 | 3 | |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 | |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 | |
| Research | 3 | ||
| Seminar | 3 | ||
| Spanish Language or Literature | 3 | 3 |
Source: catalog.usm.edu · checked September 19, 2026
Biggest majors
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 173 |
| Psychology | 172 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 172 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 170 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 136 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 112 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences | 101 |
| Family Systems | 79 |
Show the other 65 majors
| Industrial Technology/Technician | 70 |
| Social Work | 69 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | 65 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist | 62 |
| Accounting | 61 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 56 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management | 56 |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 51 |
| Construction Management | 51 |
| English Language and Literature | 44 |
| Public Health | 44 |
| General Studies | 41 |
| Library and Information Science | 38 |
| History | 37 |
| Finance | 34 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 32 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 29 |
| Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician | 28 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 28 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 27 |
| Music Teacher Education | 24 |
| Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance | 23 |
| Political Science and Government | 21 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 21 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 20 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 20 |
| Polymer/Plastics Engineering | 20 |
| Chemistry | 19 |
| Communication Management and Strategic Communications | 19 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts | 17 |
| Research and Development Management | 17 |
| Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration | 16 |
| Dietetics/Dietitian | 16 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 16 |
| Sociology | 16 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 16 |
| Journalism | 14 |
| Legal Assistant/Paralegal | 11 |
| Mathematics | 11 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management, Other | 11 |
| Music | 10 |
| Interior Architecture | 10 |
| Computer Engineering | 10 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 9 |
| Fine/Studio Arts | 9 |
| Marketing, Other | 9 |
| Dance | 8 |
| Anthropology | 8 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures | 8 |
| Geology/Earth Science | 6 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist | 6 |
| Philosophy | 5 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 5 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 5 |
| Geography | 5 |
| International Business/Trade/Commerce | 4 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | 4 |
| Ocean Engineering | 4 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 3 |
| Physics | 3 |
| Music Management | 3 |
| Sustainability Studies | 2 |
| Fashion Merchandising | 2 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician | 1 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 1 |
Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Sports and campus life
Men’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Sun Belt
Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field (Indoor), Track and Field (Outdoor)
Women’s varsity · NCAA Division I, Sun Belt
Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball
ROTC
Air Force, Army
Faith groups
Cru, Newman Connection
Also
Honors college, Esports, Study abroad
Greek life
21% of men in fraternities · 14% of women in sororities · 17% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2024–25)
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), cru.org · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026
The place
Setting
City, small
Federal locale classification
Metro area
Hattiesburg, MS
156,575 people
Big-city metro (1 million+)
No
More about the place
Nearest airport
Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional (PIB)
Nearest hub airport
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)
Walkability
EPA walkability index 6.5 of 20
Elevation
217 ft
Time zone
Central
January low
38°F
July high
91°F
Annual snowfall
0.9 in
Days at 90°F or higher
85 per year
One-bedroom fair market rent
$1,090 per month
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Colleges nearby
- William Carey University3 mi
- University of Mobile80 mi
- University of South Alabama81 mi
- Spring Hill College83 mi
- Belhaven University84 mi
- Jackson State University84 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses
Similar colleges
Public, city campus, NCAA Division I, similar size
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- Coastal Carolina University10,306 students