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.
Middle Tennessee State University logo

Middle Tennessee State University

University of Southern Mississippi logo

University of Southern Mississippi

Overview

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%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 68.4% 95.8%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $35
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $60
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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,554

Out of state: $43,586
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
In state: $9,094

Out of state: $11,094
Room & board $9,576 $10,950
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

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

Students and Campus

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

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
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

Outcome

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)
  • Year 1: $88,408
  • Year 2: $85,760
  • Year 3: $90,571
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,120
  • Year 2: $59,485
  • Year 3: $88,221
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,903
  • Year 2: $66,104
  • Year 3: $78,609
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,709
  • Year 2: $67,101
  • Year 3: $72,118
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,220
  • Year 2: $66,541
  • Year 3: $69,654
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,896
  • Year 2: $57,860
  • Year 3: $67,093
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,963
  • Year 2: $57,995
  • Year 3: $66,752
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,662
  • Year 2: $54,192
  • Year 3: $66,144
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,628
  • Year 2: $58,943
  • Year 3: $61,839
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,209
  • Year 2: $55,061
  • Year 3: $58,677
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $157,573
  • Year 2: $156,846
  • Year 3: $164,002
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $95,073
  • Year 3: $99,130
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $67,660
  • Year 3: $71,295
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $61,516
  • Year 3: $67,024
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,957
  • Year 2: $56,254
  • Year 3: $57,464
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,555
  • Year 2: $52,107
  • Year 3: $56,239
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,332
  • Year 2: $53,358
  • Year 3: $52,453
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,129
  • Year 2: $38,829
  • Year 3: $50,674
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,726
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $49,610
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,917
  • Year 2: $45,696
  • Year 3: $48,921

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