Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Mississippi vs University of Southern Mississippi: which has better ROI?

Public, University MS · vs · Public, Hattiesburg MS

The verdict

University of Mississippi has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,256 in 20.2 years versus not at all at University of Southern Mississippi, on median earnings of $50,994 vs $44,140 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Head to head
MeasureUniversity of MississippiUniversity of Southern Mississippi
Net price / yr$13,314$21,708
Total net cost$53,256$86,832
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,994$44,140
Median debt$20,000$22,500
Payback20.2 yrs
20-year net return$-576$-171,232

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.