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Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,800/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 12.1x earnings multiple (10.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #195 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$466K	$466K	$441K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.1x	12.1x	11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.0x	10.0x	9.5x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	39

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 (10.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$56,896

-48% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of Southern Mississippi's Liberal Arts and Sciences program produces graduates earning $37,800/yr — within striking distance of the $37,172 national average for this field.

With a 12.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $25,000 against $37,800/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #195 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places University of Southern Mississippi in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About University of Southern Mississippi

A 99% acceptance rate means University of Southern Mississippi is accessible to most applicants, 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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Southern Mississippi

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at University of Southern Mississippi?

At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →