Data Processing at University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree
35 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
35
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,734/yr (-31% vs median)
AI Risk High (57% exposed)
Job Market Large (31,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (9.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 3 Data Processing programs

Program Analysis

While "Data Processing" sounds like a high-tech major, at a regional public university like Southern Miss, the career path often looks different than at a coastal tech hub. Your lower-than-average earnings outcomes reflect Hattiesburg's local economy, where graduates are more likely to fill essential data management and IT support roles for regional healthcare systems, government agencies, or local businesses rather than landing lucrative jobs at big tech firms. The program provides a solid, practical foundation, but lacks the direct recruiting pipelines to national companies that can drive up salaries. Given the high AI risk for routine data tasks, your key to success is to aggressively pursue internships. A strong work portfolio demonstrating skills beyond basic processing—like data visualization or database administration—will be your most powerful tool for securing a higher-paying role, whether you stay in the Southeast or move elsewhere.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Data Processing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $444K $448K $440K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.7x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.6x 9.6x 9.5x
Probability of Field Employment 80% 74% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 35 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,472
Out-of-state: $46,472 (9.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,896
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings

About University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,899 students in Hattiesburg, MS. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Mississippi →

Top Career Paths

Computer occupations, all other $108,970/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Data Processing at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Data Processing at University of Southern Mississippi?
A score of 35/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Data Processing. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Data Processing careers?
With 57% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $440,380 in decade earnings vs $444,346 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Data Processing from University of Southern Mississippi?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →