University of Southern Mississippi (USM) vs Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) are two excellent options with distinct characteristics. USM, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, offers a vibrant campus life and a wide range of academic programs, while MTSU, situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, boasts a strong focus on undergraduate education and a diverse student body. With acceptance rates of 84% and 79%, respectively, both universities welcome a substantial number of applicants. While USM excels in fields like nursing, education, and business, MTSU shines in areas such as engineering, business, and music. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Middle Tennessee State University |
![]() University of Southern Mississippi |
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Overview |
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Location | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 75.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 68.4% | 95.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1010 - 1210 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 7.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 92.0% | 99.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,244 | 9,314 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,691 | 8,922 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,752 | 1,587 |
Yield rate | 35.8% | 17.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,554
Out of state:
$43,586
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In state:
$25,100
Out of state:
$27,100
|
Average net price | $12,617 | $13,651 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,344
Out of state:
$26,376
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In state:
$9,094
Out of state:
$11,094
|
Room & board | $9,576 | $10,950 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $8,747 |
91.0%
Average amount $9,072 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
36.0%
Average amount $4,835 |
54.0%
Average amount $5,327 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $12,638 |
4.0%
Average amount $12,298 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,603
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
10,693
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
Graduate students |
2,965
Men 36.1% Women 63.9% |
3,453
Men 33.7% Women 66.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 25.7% |
International students | 2.4% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,518 | 3,592 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Mississippi Louisiana Alabama Florida Tennessee |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 53.7% | 51.8% |
Dropout rate | 14.7% | 46.0% |
Transferred out | 28.5% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
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