Freshmen
Scholarships
Southern Miss offers generous scholarship support to qualified students, making the Golden Eagle experience as affordable as it is valuable.
Admission Deadline for Freshman Competitive Programs Consideration:
December 1
Admission Deadline for General Freshman Scholarship Consideration:
March 1
Final ACT/SAT Testing Opportunity for General Scholarship Consideration:
February of Senior Year
Academic Excellence Scholarships
Automatic consideration upon admission.
| Academic Credentials | Annual Merit Scholarship |
|---|---|
| 20 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | $1,500 annually |
| 21 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | $2,500 annually |
| 22 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | $3,000 annually |
| 23-24 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | $4,5000 annually |
| 25-26 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | $5,250 annually |
| 27-29 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | $7,000 annually |
| 30-32 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | Full value of tuition |
| 33-36 ACT + 3.25 GPA or higher | Full value of tuition + freshman year housing scholarship |
Find the program that's right for you.
Tuition and Costs
USM’s tuition and fees are among the lowest in the nation. When you consider all that comes with the Golden Eagle experience, we’re not just affordable – we’re an incredible value. Use our Funding Guide to help you understand basic costs and what your bottom line might be at Southern Miss.
Out-of-state students only pay $2,000 more than Mississippi students!
| Tuition & Costs | Semester | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Tuition* | $4,999 | $9,998 |
| Non-Resident Tuition** | $5,999 | $11,998 |
These rates are subject to change with prior approval from the Board of Trustees of
State Institutions of Higher Learning or University policy. The amounts shown here
are for the 2024-25 academic year.
*Includes capital improvement fee of $35 each fall/spring semester and student activities
fee of $20 each fall/spring semester
**Includes nonresident fee of $1,000 per fall/spring semester
Housing and Residence Life
Residence halls offer a home for Golden Eagles to live, learn, grow, and connect while making the most of their college experience! With 14 residence halls, 10 sorority houses, 9 fraternity houses, apartments, and dedicated living-learning communities, the Department of Housing and Residence Life is committed to providing you with housing environments that meet your needs throughout your time at Southern Miss.
The University’s prestigious Honors College is the sixth-oldest acceptance-based honors college in the nation and the oldest in Mississippi. Experience innovative curriculum, active-learning trips, and living in a special housing community. Every student in the Honors College receives scholarship support.
Undergraduate Admissions will help you with questions about requirements, transfer credits, scholarships and more.