University of Southern Mississippi
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$38,472
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$2,710/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
14.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
41%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Southern Mississippi has a high acceptance rate of 99.4% and a graduation rate of 51.1%. The average in-state tuition is $9,618. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $39,715. Five years after graduation, earnings decrease to $37,710, but increase to $44,140 after ten years.
The median debt for graduates is $22,500, and 50% of students receive financial aid. Based on the first-year earnings, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.57.
Assuming a graduate earns the first-year salary and pays off the median debt, the break-even point is approximately 0.6 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,618
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$37,710
Graduation Rate
51%
Receive Financial Aid
50%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $38,472 | $45,711 | 457% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $38,472 | $63,071 | 1359% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $38,472 | $0 | N/A |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $38,472 | $39,166 | 117% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $38,472 | $36,496 | -22% |
| Psychology, General. | $38,472 | $32,661 | N/A |
| Biology, General. | $38,472 | $38,258 | 69% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | $38,472 | $34,932 | N/A |
| Marketing. | $38,472 | $48,470 | 600% |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $38,472 | $49,061 | 631% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $38,472 | $31,967 | N/A |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | $38,472 | $66,725 | 1549% |
Peer Comparison
41%
20yr ROI
-10%
20yr ROI
20%
20yr ROI
257%
20yr ROI
68%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.