University of Southern Mississippi (USM) vs Kent State
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and Kent, Ohio, home to the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Kent State University at Kent (KSU), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique identities. USM boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from various backgrounds. KSU, on the other hand, attracts a slightly more selective pool of applicants. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into the nuances that set these institutions apart, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, embarking on a transformative journey toward your educational goals.
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![]() Kent State University at Kent |
![]() University of Southern Mississippi |
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Overview |
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Location | Kent, Ohio | Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | 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 | 81.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.3% | 95.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$45
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1000 - 1210 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 25 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 66.0% | 99.0% |
Total number of applicants | 19,881 | 9,314 |
Total number of admissions given out | 17,359 | 8,922 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,050 | 1,587 |
Yield rate | 23.3% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,954
Out of state:
$36,830
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In state:
$25,100
Out of state:
$27,100
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Average net price | $18,947 | $13,651 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,774
Out of state:
$20,650
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In state:
$9,094
Out of state:
$11,094
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,417
Meal plan:
$5,666
|
$10,950 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $8,401 |
91.0%
Average amount $9,072 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
56.0%
Average amount $5,405 |
54.0%
Average amount $5,327 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $13,210 |
4.0%
Average amount $12,298 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
21,133
Men 37.7% Women 62.3% |
10,693
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
Graduate students |
5,464
Men 33.3% Women 66.7% |
3,453
Men 33.7% Women 66.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 19.7% | 25.7% |
International students | 5.2% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,674 | 3,592 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Ohio Pennsylvania New York Illinois Michigan | Mississippi Louisiana Alabama Florida Tennessee |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 67.7% | 51.8% |
Dropout rate | 9.4% | 46.0% |
Transferred out | 21.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
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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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