University of Southern Mississippi (USM) vs University of North Carolina at Asheville
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 North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA) offer distinct experiences for prospective students. USM, located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while UNCA, nestled in Asheville, North Carolina, offers a more selective admissions process and a smaller, close-knit community. Both universities excel in different academic areas, with USM excelling in nursing, business, and education, and UNCA excelling in environmental studies, music, and psychology. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including their graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
|
![]() University of North Carolina at Asheville |
![]() University of Southern Mississippi |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Asheville, North Carolina | Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 75.0% | 70.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 81.6% | 95.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1130 - 1330 | N/A |
ACT range | 22 - 29 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 33.0% | 99.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,550 | 9,314 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,714 | 8,922 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 605 | 1,587 |
Yield rate | 16.3% | 17.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price |
In state:
$22,331
Out of state:
$39,679
|
In state:
$25,100
Out of state:
$27,100
|
Average net price | $13,838 | $13,651 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,122
Out of state:
$21,470
|
In state:
$9,094
Out of state:
$11,094
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,778
Meal plan:
$4,470
|
$10,950 |
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
90.0%
Average amount $7,610 |
91.0%
Average amount $9,072 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
50.0%
Average amount $5,008 |
54.0%
Average amount $5,327 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $10,387 |
4.0%
Average amount $12,298 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
3,233
Men 42.5% Women 57.5% |
10,693
Men 35.3% Women 64.7% |
Graduate students | N/A |
3,453
Men 33.7% Women 66.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | 15.8% | 25.7% |
International students | 1.1% | 2.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,575 | 3,592 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina Florida South Carolina Virginia Georgia | Mississippi Louisiana Alabama Florida Tennessee |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 64.6% | 51.8% |
Dropout rate | 9.5% | 46.0% |
Transferred out | 25.1% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Visual and Performing Arts, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
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)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.
























































































































































































































