Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 51.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 50.6%
- Retention Rate
- 70.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $44,140
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,500
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 55.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $239/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $156,846 | $143,995 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $95,073 | $38,447 |
| Education, General. | Doctoral | $67,660 | |
| Public Health. | Master | $61,516 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,254 | $24,327 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $53,358 | $20,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $52,464 | |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $22,875 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $48,432 | |
| Data Processing. | Bachelor | $47,846 | $22,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $45,696 | $24,180 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $41,937 | |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $40,461 | $21,172 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $38,829 |
Outcomes Overview
Southern Miss graduates enter the workforce with a median debt load of $22,500, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 against their $44,140 median salary after 10 years. Monthly loan payments of $239 consume about 6.5% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong programs in education and polymer science feed graduates into stable career paths in teaching and manufacturing. With 96.3% of graduates finding employment and the school's reputation for producing NFL talent like Brett Favre, career prospects remain solid. However, the modest salary levels reflect Mississippi's lower cost of living and wage scales. This represents an average return on investment for most students.