Marketing at University of Southern Mississippi

Among Mississippi's six marketing programs, Southern Miss graduates earn slightly less than the state median but carry notably lower debt—about $3,000 below what's typical in-state. That 40th percentile ranking within Mississippi matters less when you consider the financial tradeoff: graduates here owe roughly $18,800 while peers at Ole Miss or Mississippi State typically carry more debt for marginally higher starting salaries. The 46% debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and the 20% earnings growth over four years suggests decent career progression.

The national picture is less flattering. Southern Miss marketing graduates start about $4,200 below the national median, landing in just the 24th percentile for the program nationwide. For families considering out-of-state options, that gap is significant—you'd pay more as an out-of-state student to earn less than marketing graduates at most other universities.

For Mississippi residents, this works as an affordable path into marketing, particularly given Southern Miss's accessibility (47% of students receive Pell grants). The relatively low debt load provides breathing room early in your career. But if your child has strong credentials and qualifications for competitive programs elsewhere, the earnings data suggests they could do better—both the modest starting salary and below-average national standing indicate this program doesn't offer a competitive edge in the broader job market.