Degree Dividend
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University of Southern Mississippi vs Blue Mountain Christian University: which has better ROI?

Public, Hattiesburg MS · vs · Private nonprofit, Blue Mountain MS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Southern Mississippi comes closer — median earnings $44,140 against a $86,832 total, vs $40,421 at Blue Mountain Christian University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Southern MississippiBlue Mountain Christian University
Net price / yr$21,708$24,016
Total net cost$86,832$96,064
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,140$40,421
Median debt$22,500$18,534
Payback
20-year net return-$171,232-$254,844

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

Which is cheaper, University of Southern Mississippi or Blue Mountain Christian University?

University of Southern Mississippi, at $21,708 a year after aid versus $24,016 — a gap of $2,308 a year, or $9,232 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Southern Mississippi or Blue Mountain Christian University graduates earn more?

University of Southern Mississippi graduates report a median $44,140 ten years after entry, $3,719 more than the $40,421 at Blue Mountain Christian University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Southern Mississippi or Blue Mountain Christian University?

Blue Mountain Christian University: its completers carry a median $18,534 in federal loans versus $22,500 at University of Southern Mississippi, a difference of $3,966. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Blue Mountain Christian University, against 49% at University of Southern Mississippi. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of Southern Mississippi vs Blue Mountain Christian University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Southern Mississippi or Blue Mountain Christian University a better value?
University of Southern Mississippi comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, University of Southern Mississippi or Blue Mountain Christian University?
University of Southern Mississippi: $21,708/yr net price after aid versus $24,016/yr at Blue Mountain Christian University — a difference of $2,308 a year, or about $9,232 over four years.
Do University of Southern Mississippi or Blue Mountain Christian University graduates earn more?
University of Southern Mississippi graduates earn a median $44,140 ten years after entry, versus $40,421 at Blue Mountain Christian University — a $3,719 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.