What are the demographics of USM college?

Demographics for "USM college" usually refer to the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), which is predominantly White and Black, with women making up the majority of students; recent data shows around 59-62% White, 28-29% Black, and 5-6% Hispanic, with a significant female presence (around 62%), and an average age of 23.

Does Southern University accept white students?

The enrolled student population at Southern University and A & M College is 86.9% Black or African American, 4.9% White, 2.46% Asian, 1.55% Hispanic or Latino, 1.45% Two or More Races, 0.109% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0364% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

How big is the USM student body?

It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,193 (fall 2024), and the campus size is 1,090 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Southern Mississippi is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

What is Southern University famous for?

With a rich tradition in cultural and civic engagement, Southern University is home to the internationally renowned Human Jukebox Marching Band, a strong alumni network, and robust research initiatives that address pressing societal challenges.

Ranking Top 50 Most Common College Degrees

What percentage of university students are white?

Nonwhite students make up roughly 41% of undergraduates as of fall 2024. White students, however, continue to account for the largest group of college students, making up about 40% of the total undergraduate population. Hispanic and Latino/a students are the second largest group, making up 19% of undergrads as of 2024.

What is the #1 HBCU in America?

There isn't one single "number one" HBCU, as rankings vary by publication and criteria, but Howard University is frequently cited as #1 by sources like Forbes and LinkedIn for career success, while Spelman College often leads in U.S. News & World Report rankings for social mobility, and Florida A&M University has also been named #1 by Niche, showing different institutions excel in different areas. 

Is USM a dry campus?

Yes, USM (University of Southern Mississippi) operates as a dry campus for underage students and in most public areas, meaning alcohol is prohibited for those under 21 and generally for all students in public spaces; however, they have exceptions, like designated stadium areas for adults (21+) where beer and wine are sold, complying with state law. Other USM (University of Southern Maine/Saint Mary) policies also prohibit underage drinking and drug use, with varying rules for legal-age students. 

Why does Southern Miss say to the top?

SOUTHERN MISS TO THE TOP!

This phrase is a defining characteristic of the Southern Miss spirit, woven into the way we speak and what we stand for. It captures a shared hope among Golden Eagles: to see our University thrive, whether through academics, athletics, or the broader community.

Is it harder to get into UCLA or USC?

It's extremely competitive for both, but UCLA is generally harder to get into for in-state applicants due to higher GPA demands and a public university quota, while USC becomes exceptionally difficult for out-of-state applicants, often balancing academic rigor with the ability to pay, though recent acceptance rates are similar (around 9-10%), with UCLA receiving far more applicants. The specific difficulty depends heavily on your residency, major, and extracurricular profile, as UCLA emphasizes grades (test-blind) and USC weighs extracurriculars and financial contribution more heavily. 

What is the blackest city in the US?

The "blackest city in America" by percentage is often cited as Jackson, Mississippi, with over 80% of its population being African American, though smaller places like Tuskegee, Alabama, have even higher concentrations (over 94%). Other cities with very high Black populations by percentage include Detroit and Birmingham in Alabama, and Miami Gardens, Florida, while metro areas like Atlanta and Washington D.C. have huge absolute numbers of Black residents.
 

What is Southern Miss known for?

The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), or "Southern Miss," is known for strong programs in polymer science, ocean science, cybersecurity, nursing, education, and business, along with a nationally recognized fine arts program (art, dance, music, theatre). It's a Carnegie R1 research university with a passionate culture, strong athletics (Golden Eagles), and a significant focus on military support, producing graduates for high-demand fields in STEM, healthcare, and more. 

What race is hardest to get into college?

While white and Asian students have roughly similar rates of admission (23% and 21%, respectively), Black and Latino students have lower admissions rates (16% and 18%, respectively).

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What is the 90/10 rule for colleges?

The 90/10 Rule in higher education requires for-profit colleges to get at least 10% of their revenue from non-federal sources, with a maximum of 90% from federal aid (like Title IV funds and recently, military benefits) to ensure they aren't solely reliant on taxpayer money and offer real value. Failing this rule for two consecutive years results in losing access to federal student aid, a penalty designed to protect students from low-quality, predatory institutions. Recent changes have closed loopholes by including GI Bill and military assistance in the 90% calculation, forcing for-profits to diversify funding.
 

What is the lowest rated university in the US?

There's no single "worst" university, as it depends on criteria like graduation rates, job placement, or value, but Florida Memorial University, Grambling State, Fayetteville State, Lindsey Wilson, and several for-profit schools like DeVry/University of Phoenix often appear on lists due to low outcomes, high debt, or questionable practices, with factors like poor ROI, low graduation rates, and loan default rates heavily influencing these rankings**. 

What celebrities went to Southern University?

Southern University boasts several celebrities, including musician and producer David Banner, American Idol judge and musician Randy Jackson, and media personality Van Lathan, alongside sports figures like NBA champion Avery Johnson and NFL's Adalius Thomas, with many others from music, sports, and media also attending, like rapper M.C. Gainey and actor Gary Grubbs. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What's the #1 university in the US?

There isn't one single #1 university in the U.S., as rankings vary by source, but Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Harvard University consistently appear at the very top, often trading #1 spots in major lists like U.S. News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and Forbes. 

What are some notable alumni from USM?

Alumni

• David Baria '87 – member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, 2018 candidate for U.S. Senate.
• Toby Barker '04, '06 – mayor of Hattiesburg.
• Phil Bryant '77 – governor of Mississippi.
• Thomas G.