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Hattiesburg, MississippiPhoto: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg is a college town: 19 of every 100 residents are students

The University of Southern Mississippi (9,238 students on campus) and William Carey University (3,855) are inside the city. Across Mississippi, 6 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.

College town19% of residents are studentsWilliam Carey UniversityUniversity of Southern Mississippi

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Hattiesburg. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
13,093 students on campus
Nearest college
1.5 mi
William Carey University
Residents in college
19%
Above MS (6%)
Nearest community college
21.2 mi
Jones County Junior College · $4,806 tuition
Nearest public university
1.6 mi
University of Southern Mississippi · $9,998 in-state
Students on campus in Hattiesburg
13,093
next to 48,802 residents

What stands out about college in Hattiesburg

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college town19 of every 100 Hattiesburg residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Mississippi.Two colleges within 1.6 milesWilliam Carey University admits 60% of applicants; University of Southern Mississippi admits 99%. Together they have 13,093 students on campus.In-state price at University of Southern MississippiLiving in Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi charges $9,998 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $11,998. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 21.2 miles awayJones County Junior College in Ellisville: tuition and fees $4,806 a year for Mississippi residents.
Town & gown

What it’s like to live in Hattiesburg

How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.

19 of every 100 Hattiesburg residents are in college (MS: 6).

13,093students on campus at Hattiesburg’s 2 colleges, next to 48,802 residents (dorm students count as residents)
5,737college students live in Hattiesburg households rather than dorms
29.4median age · MS 38.6
56%of residents are women · MS 52% (±1 points)
63%of homes rented · MS 30%
$1,005median rent · 5% above the state
HattiesburgHattiesburg, MS
Cost of living$1,005/mo median rentC+SafetyCrime reported to the FBIDHealthCDC estimatesC−Jobs & incomeIncome, jobs, getting aroundDHandbookTrash day, parking, who to call

How students change Hattiesburg’s other numbers

Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →

Jobs & income D

Students who live off campus count in the Census poverty figures: 27.5% of Hattiesburg residents are below the poverty line, 24.5% when college students are left out (that estimate could be off by 4 points either way). 47% of the students themselves are below the line. In college towns, the Jobs & income grade uses the rate without students and leaves unemployment out.

Cost of living C+

The Cost grade counts the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent, leaving it out only where students are a quarter of residents or more. Here they are 19%, so student incomes still weigh on that figure.

Health C−

CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Hattiesburg’s median age is 29.4 (Mississippi 38.6), so the adult figures describe a young population.

Safety D

Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.

Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Hattiesburg

One private college within 1.5 miles, and one public college within 1.6 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Southern MississippiWilliam Carey UniversityHattiesburg
University or collegeCommunity college
William Carey UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,855 on campus · In Hattiesburg60%admitted$14knet price60%graduate$43kearningsUniversity of Southern MississippiUniversity or college · Public · 9,238 on campus · In Hattiesburg99%admitted$22knet price49%graduate$44kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Hattiesburg’s median household income ($46,342) falls.

William Carey UniversityIn Hattiesburg · sticker $29,651$12,411a year
University of Southern MississippiIn Hattiesburg · sticker $26,566$20,432a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Hattiesburg: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →William Carey UniversityUniversity of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi49% graduate$44k earnings$22k typical debt
William Carey University60% graduate$43k earnings$21k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Hattiesburg

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Hattiesburg’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 18%Health professions 15%Education 12%Psychology 7%Parks & recreation 5%Computer science 5%Everything else 38%

Biggest programs

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsUniversity of Southern Mississippi · 212 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity of Southern Mississippi · 206 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of Southern Mississippi · 168 graduates a year
$72k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralUniversity of Southern Mississippi · 167 graduates a year
$38k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingWilliam Carey University · 149 graduates a year
$82k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesUniversity of Southern Mississippi · 144 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessUniversity of Southern Mississippi · 127 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsWilliam Carey University · 112 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Hattiesburg

Is Hattiesburg a college town?

Yes. 19 of every 100 Hattiesburg residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 6 across Mississippi. The University of Southern Mississippi has 9,238 students on campus, next to 48,802 residents.

What colleges are in Hattiesburg?

The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University are inside the city. Jones County Junior College is 21.2 miles away in Ellisville.

Why is Hattiesburg’s poverty rate so high?

Students who live off campus count in the Census figures. 27.5% of residents are below the poverty line; leaving college students out, 24.5% are (ACS 2020–24, give or take 4 points).

What is the closest community college to Hattiesburg, and what does it cost?

Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, 21.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,806 a year for Mississippi residents; the federal net price, $6,048, counts housing and food at full cost.

How hard is it to get into the University of Southern Mississippi?

The University of Southern Mississippi admitted 99% of applicants in the Scorecard’s latest year.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Hattiesburg. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →