University of Southern Mississippi (USM) vs University of West Alabama (UWA)
When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and the University of West Alabama (UWA) are two distinct institutions with unique offerings. USM, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, boasts a higher acceptance rate (86%) compared to UWA's 78%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with popular majors at USM including Nursing, Business Administration, and Psychology, while UWA excels in fields like Education, Business, and Criminal Justice. While USM's student body is more diverse, UWA has a slightly higher graduation rate (52% vs. 49%). Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into specific data points and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of Southern Mississippi |
![]() University of West Alabama |
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Overview |
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Location | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Livingston, Alabama |
Campus setting | City: Small | Rural: Remote |
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 | 70.0% | 63.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 95.8% | 74.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$40
|
SAT range | N/A | 880 - 980 |
ACT range | 19 - 26 | 17 - 21 |
Students submitting SAT score | 2.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 99.0% | 69.0% |
Total number of applicants | 9,314 | 1,539 |
Total number of admissions given out | 8,922 | 1,144 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,587 | 351 |
Yield rate | 17.8% | 30.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$25,100
Out of state:
$27,100
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In state:
$22,911
Out of state:
$32,011
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Average net price | $13,651 | $15,435 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,094
Out of state:
$11,094
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In state:
$9,100
Out of state:
$18,200
|
Room & board | $10,950 |
Room/dormitory:
$4,760
Meal plan:
$2,834
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $9,072 |
89.0%
Average amount $7,129 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
54.0%
Average amount $5,327 |
65.0%
Average amount $5,418 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $12,298 |
3.0%
Average amount $8,357 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,693
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
2,322
Men 30.6% Women 69.4% |
Graduate students |
3,453
Men 33.7% Women 66.3% |
3,272
Men 20.0% Women 80.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 25.7% | N/A |
International students | 2.8% | 2.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Rural: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 3,592 | 1,019 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi Louisiana Alabama Florida Tennessee | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 14:1 |
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 | 51.8% | 39.1% |
Dropout rate | 46.0% | 21.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 36.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
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