Hattiesburg, Mississippi Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi: median public in-state tuition $10,394 (+82.3% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $46,820 (-21.2% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 92.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $15,094 (+11.8% vs U.S.) 12,342 students enrolled statewide.
Overview
Colleges and universities in Hattiesburg serve students across Mississippi with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 5 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 12,342 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $10,394. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Hattiesburg, Mississippi and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Hattiesburg vs Mississippi & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg, Mississippi | $10,394 | $18,489 | $15,094 | 55.7% | 12,342 |
| Mississippi (state median) | $4,600 | $6,765 | $10,500 | 49.0% | 124,254 |
| United States | $5,700 | $9,912 | $13,500 | 49.3% | 14,465,291 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Hattiesburg, Mississippi vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg, Mississippi | $46,820 | 92.0% | 75.0% | 7.3% | — | 65.3% | 0.42 |
| Mississippi (state median) | $45,462 | 92.2% | 72.1% | 8.6% | — | 64.9% | 0.45 |
| United States | $59,401 | 93.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.8% | 0.36 |
Other cities in Mississippi (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hattiesburg, Mississippi | $10,394 | $18,489 | $15,094 | 55.7% | 12,342 | $46,820 | 92.0% |
| Jackson | $22,160 | $21,903 | $25,000 | 58.1% | 7,671 | $47,058 | 90.7% |
| Jackson | $22,160 | $21,903 | $25,000 | 58.1% | 7,671 | $47,058 | 90.7% |
| Jackson | $22,160 | $21,903 | $25,000 | 58.1% | 7,671 | $47,058 | 90.7% |
| Clinton | $24,600 | $13,137 | $19,500 | 63.6% | 2,595 | $54,122 | 93.1% |
| Gulfport | N/A | $23,255 | $11,190 | N/A | 273 | N/A | N/A |
| Laurel | $7,425 | $17,381 | N/A | 18.8% | 150 | N/A | N/A |
| Laurel | $7,425 | $17,381 | N/A | 18.8% | 150 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,700 | $9,912 | $13,500 | 49.3% | 14,465,291 | $59,401 | 93.0% |
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 57.2%, William Carey University
William Carey University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 54.2%, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 92.2%, William Carey University
William Carey University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.8%, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
Top 2 most selective colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 60.3%, William Carey University
William Carey University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 99.1%, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $82,853, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $74,607, William Carey University
William Carey University
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $89,904, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $82,147, William Carey University
William Carey University
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,152, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,039, William Carey University
William Carey University
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,499, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,359, William Carey University
William Carey University
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $47,355, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $46,286, William Carey University
William Carey University
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $152,170, William Carey University
William Carey University
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $117,898, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
Top 2 most affordable colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $13,507, William Carey University
William Carey University
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Rank 2, Net Price, $21,172, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
Top 2 colleges in Hattiesburg, Mississippi by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 77.9%, William Carey University
William Carey University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 72.1%, University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
In-state tuition: Hattiesburg, Mississippi vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Hattiesburg, Mississippi median in-state tuition is $10,394, +82.3% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Hattiesburg, Mississippi vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is $15,094 (+11.8% vs U.S. median $13,500). Regional median: $15,558.
Median earnings (10 years out): Hattiesburg, Mississippi vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Hattiesburg, Mississippi center around $46,820 (-21.2% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Hattiesburg, Mississippi vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 92.0% at the median Hattiesburg, Mississippi campus (-1.0 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Hattiesburg, Mississippi median public in-state tuition is $10,394, about +82.3% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +101.6%.
Median graduate debt is $15,094 (+11.8% above the U.S. median of $13,500). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Hattiesburg, Mississippi are $46,820, about -21.2% vs the U.S. campus median ($59,401).
The median campus reports 92.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 93.0% (-1.0 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 75.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 7.3% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 65.3% (U.S. 73.8%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include William Carey University (92.2%), University of Southern Mississippi (91.8%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Hattiesburg, Mississippi is 55.7% (national institution average about 49.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Hattiesburg?
This city profile covers 5 campuses in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Hattiesburg?
Median in-state tuition in Hattiesburg is $10,394 and median net price is $18,489. For Mississippi overall, medians are $4,600 and $6,765; U.S. medians are $5,700 and $9,912.
What do graduates earn in Hattiesburg?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Hattiesburg is $46,820 vs $45,462 for Mississippi and $59,401 nationally.
What is student debt like for Hattiesburg colleges?
Median completer debt in Hattiesburg is $15,094 vs $10,500 for Mississippi and $13,500 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Hattiesburg?
Top campuses on this page include William Carey University (graduation) and University of Southern Mississippi (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Hattiesburg?
Among 5 campuses in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 1 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campus (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Baptist (1).
Sources & related
- Mississippi college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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