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Summary
University of Southern Mississippi is a public institution that was founded in 1910. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 13,618, its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,090 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Southern Mississippi's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, Tier 2. Its in-state tuition and fees are $6,336 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $14,448 (2012-13).
The University of Southern Mississippi has dual campuses: a main location in Hattiesburg and a complex in Long Beach known as Southern Miss Gulf Coast. In Hattiesburg, there are more than 280 student organizations to check out, as well as annual events such as Crawfish Fest. About 10 percent of students join fraternities and sororities, and participating upperclassmen can live in Greek housing: Fraternity Row for men and a gated community called The Village for women. First year students live in the Freshman Quad, a housing area next to the football stadium. Football games are a popular outlet on campus, kicking off with Friday Night at the Fountain, a pep rally the night before each home game, and the Eagle Walk parade a few hours before each match. Southern Miss Golden Eagles sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Conference USA.
Graduate students may enroll in programs through the Southern Miss College of Business, the College of Education and Psychology, the Department of Administration of Justice, and more. Notable Southern Miss alumni include NFL quarterback Brett Favre and musician Jimmy Buffet.
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The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research active university. Founded in 1910, the vision of the University of Southern Mississippi is to emerge as the premier research university of the Gulf South, engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. Our primary mission is to cultivate intellectual development and creativity through the generation, dissemination, application and preservation of knowledge. Our mission is supported by the values that have been formed through the history and traditions of our institution.These values are widely and deeply held beliefs of our faculty, staff, students, and administrators: Education provides opportunities to improve the quality of intellectual, social, economic, and personal well-being.These opportunities should be available to all who are willing and able to meet our standards of excellence. Our success is reflected by the degree to which our students become well-read, articulate, and creative and critical thinkers. It is measured by their display of specialized knowledge and abilities suitable to the pursuit of a career and life in our complex, ever- changing world. We cherish innovation in the creation and application of basic and applied research findings, creative and artistic expression, meaningful learning experiences, the scope of services provided to our students and the broader community that we sustain, and the continuing evolution of degree programs that both respond to and anticipate the evolving demands of our society, employers, and the labor market.Education encourages and advances the ideals of a pluralistic democratic society: civic responsibility, integrity, diversity, and ethical behavior. Academic freedom and shared governance are long-established and living principles at the university. We cherish the free exchange of ideas, diversity of thought, joint decision making, and individuals assumption of responsibility. We make efficient and effective use of our resources, for we are accountable to our university communities, the Board of Trustees, and taxpayers. Four priorities guide The University of Southern Mississippi, each helping to support our mission. These priorities-a climate of academic success, image development, community connection and healthy minds, bodies, and campuses-provide a solid foundation for progress. Our vision for a climate of academic success includes a unified environment that minimizes barriers for prospective and enrolled students, attracts and retains quality faculty and staff, embraces and reflects diversity, and produces graduates who are truly competitive in the global marketplace.Image development promotes the internal and external reputation of the university and supports the vision of Southern Miss. Our students, faculty, and staff genuinely invest in their university community and their host communities.As engaged citizens, they build community through learning and working together inside and outside the university in order to create and sustain a culture of respect and civility. An emphasis on healthy lifestyles enhances the quality of the Southern Miss experience. Campus sustainability also contributes to an improved environmental impact and an informed perspective on resource use. Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.The university serves nearly 17,000 students from all 50 states and 70 foreign countries on the main campus in Hattiesburg and at four teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We offer more than 180 degree programs to a diverse student body in five degree-granting colleges-Arts & Letters, Business, Education & Psychology, Health, and Science & Technology. We have programs in the arts that are fully accredited, and we offer a broad range of student activities, including athletic teams in Division I sports. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1910 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | city |
| 2011 Endowment | N/A |
Applying
When applying to University of Southern Mississippi, it's important to note the application deadline is rolling. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due August 1. The application fee at University of Southern Mississippi is $35. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 63.2 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 63.2% |
| Application deadline | rolling |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | August 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of Southern Mississippi is 17:1, and the school has 41.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Southern Mississippi include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Education; Health Professions and Related Programs; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Psychology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 73.8 percent.
Student Life
University of Southern Mississippi has a total undergraduate enrollment of 13,618, with a gender distribution of 38.4 percent male students and 61.6 percent female students. At this school, 27.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 73.0 percent of students live off campus. University of Southern Mississippi is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 16,604 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
University of Southern Mississippi offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. University of Southern Mississippi also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at University of Southern Mississippi, 75 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at University of Southern Mississippi.
| Students who have cars on campus | 75% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At University of Southern Mississippi, 71.4 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $4,516.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $6,336 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $14,448 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | $6,907 (2012-13) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
