University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi is a Carnegie-classified public research university in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, MS, serving undergraduate, graduate, and online students across multiple disciplines while operating specialized research centers in marine aquaculture, ocean enterprise, disability studies, and life sciences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1910
- HeadquartersHattiesburg, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Southern Mississippi does
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a public, Carnegie-classified research university founded in 1910 and headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with a second campus at Gulf Park in Long Beach. It serves traditional undergraduate, transfer, graduate, and international students, alongside non-traditional learners through fully-online degree programs in business, healthcare, technology, education, and liberal arts disciplines. Beyond degree conferral, USM operates specialized centers including the Institute for Disability Studies (Mississippi's UCEDD for 50 years), the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, and the Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise on the Gulf Coast.
USM's underlying technology stack is conventional higher-ed infrastructure — Canvas LMS for online course delivery, Microsoft 365 for productivity, SOAR for student records, and Parchment for credential exchange — supplemented by integrations with Turnitin, ProctorU, and multi-factor authentication via Microsoft Authenticator. Proprietary differentiation sits in domain-specific research facilities: a 93,000-square-foot Life Sciences Research Center under construction, maritime acoustic sensing platforms integrated with autonomous surface vessels, and an aquaponics demonstration exhibit housed in a retrofitted shipping container.
The institution's revenue model combines recurring state appropriations (Mississippi), subscription-style tuition and fees (including online program tuition and per-exam proctoring fees), and grant/contract funding from federal agencies (NHLBI, NIMHD, ONR, USDA) and private foundations (Research Corporation, Sloan, Kavli). Its go-to-market is hybrid: enrollment coaches and campus visits for prospective students, cohort-based accelerators (Gulf Blue Navigator) for blue-tech startups, and strategic workforce-pipeline partnerships with healthcare systems (Forrest Health Scholars) and state agencies (Mississippi Department of Education Teacher Apprenticeships).
University of Southern Mississippi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Legal name
- The University of Southern Mississippi
- Website
- https://usm.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1910
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The University of Southern Mississippi is a Carnegie-classified public research university in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, MS, serving undergraduate, graduate, and online students across multiple disciplines while operating specialized research centers in marine aquaculture, ocean enterprise, disability studies, and life sciences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Southern Mississippi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools (EDAHAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI), Flagship Public Research Universities (R1/R2) (EDAHAAAA)
Keywords
Where University of Southern Mississippi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hattiesburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
University of Southern Mississippi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs including online and distance learning options, supplemented by various student fees including ID cards, proctoring, and course materials.
- State Funding: Public university receives state appropriations from Mississippi for educational operations, with $87.5 million state investment in new research facility.
- Federal Research Grants and Contracts: $14.5 million federal contract for Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center; $10.6 million contract modification for Intelligent Autonomous Systems for Seabed Warfare program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Online undergraduate programs starting at undergraduate tuition rates |
| Subscription | Annual | Online graduate programs including MBA, MS, MEd, PhD, and MLIS |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Student ID card fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Proctoring fees for exam administration |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
University of Southern Mississippi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs through on-campus instruction at Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses and fully online programs via Canvas LMS. It conducts federally funded research in marine aquaculture, ocean enterprise/autonomous systems, polymer science, and cardiovascular health, and operates specialized service and training centers such as the Institute for Disability Studies (UCEDD), Forrest Health Scholars nursing clinical pipeline, and the Gulf Blue Navigator startup accelerator.
Product overview
The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university offering educational services rather than commercial technology products. Its primary technology offerings include the Canvas Learning Management System for online course delivery, the SOAR student portal for academic records, and various support services through iTech. The institution provides fully-online undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple disciplines. Research infrastructure includes the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), and a new 93,000 square foot Life Sciences Research Center under construction. Student support services include transcript ordering via Parchment, proctoring services through ProctorU and campus testing centers, and technology support through the iTech Help Desk. The IDS has established an AI Policy framework for responsible AI use in disability services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Online Degree Programs Fully-online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, healthcare, technology, education, and liberal arts disciplines, delivered via Canvas LMS with enrollment coach support. Designed for students needing flexible, affordable higher education without relocating.
- On-Campus Degree Programs (Hattiesburg and Gulf Park) Traditional undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs offered at USM's Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses, including engineering, business, nursing, education, and polymer science programs. Students enroll via the SOAR portal and attend in person.
- Teacher Apprenticeship Center Mississippi's first IHL-designated Center for Teacher Apprenticeships, allowing participants to complete two years of paid on-the-job training while earning a teaching degree. Targets the state's approximately 3,000 open teaching positions.
- Forrest Health Scholars Nursing Program College of Nursing and Health Professions clinical training partnership with Forrest Health (Forrest General Hospital) that places nursing students in Dedicated Education Units for emergency room and intensive care unit preceptorship hours, addressing regional nursing workforce shortages.
- Gulf Blue Navigator Startup Accelerator (Cohort 4) Four-month startup accelerator for blue-tech companies operating along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, providing cohort-based programming, field testing, and industry collaboration including Navy and U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center access.
- Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center Two-year graduate training program funded by NHLBI and NIMHD that trains 10 graduate students annually in cardiovascular and public health research, supporting the Jackson Heart Study's focus on cardiovascular disease among African Americans.
- Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) Programs IDS provides interdisciplinary education, training, technical assistance, community services, research, and information dissemination for Mississippians with developmental and other disabilities across the lifespan, including the EARN IT entrepreneurship program for young adults.
- Marine Aquaculture Demonstration Initiative Marine aquaculture research, education, and community-engagement initiative operated through the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, including the 'Aquaponics in Action' exhibit and Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture research with native Gulf species.
- Proctoring Services (ProctorU and on-site) Exam proctoring services for online and on-campus courses, delivered via ProctorU virtual proctoring ($19.80 first hour, $11 each additional hour) and physical testing centers at Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses ($10/exam for USM students, $20/exam for non-USM students).
- Official Transcript Services (Parchment) Official transcript ordering and delivery via Parchment credential exchange, supporting electronic, paper pick-up, and mailed delivery options with fees varying by delivery method.
- iTech Help Desk Central technology service desk providing troubleshooting and support for hardware and software used by USM students, faculty, and staff (Canvas, Microsoft 365, SOAR, etc.).
Quantifiable outcome
- 100 nursing students in first Forrest Health Scholars cohort starting fall 2026
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Southern Mississippi
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
University of Southern Mississippi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
University of Southern Mississippi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Forrest HealthcorePartnership between University of Southern Mississippi's College of Nursing and Health Professions and Forrest Health to launch Forrest Health Scholars program. First cohort begins fall 2026 with nursing students working in Dedicated Education Units at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg for emergency room and intensive care unit preceptorship hours. Partnership aims to address regional healthcare workforce needs by combining academic education with hands-on clinical training.
- Gulf Offshore Research InstituteflagshipFive-year, $20 million research and demonstration program to repurpose idle offshore oil and gas platforms for green hydrogen production, open ocean aquaculture, critical mineral harvesting, and ocean monitoring. Includes USM as one of multiple university partners. Grant from Gulf Research Program at National Academies targets operational results at five platforms by 2030.
- Integer TechnologiesflagshipInteger Technologies opened office at USM's Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise in Gulfport for developing operational decision-support tools for autonomous systems in complex undersea environments. Ribbon-cutting attended by U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith. Follows $10.6 million contract modification bringing total ONR contract value to $24.8 million for Intelligent Autonomous Systems for Seabed Warfare program.
- University of MississippicoreCollaborated with USM on Gulf Coast acoustic demonstration bringing together research partners for multidomain maritime sensing technologies on autonomous platforms.
- Hyperion Technology GroupcoreIndustry partner in Gulf Coast acoustic demonstration providing advanced acoustic sensors integrated with autonomous surface vessel for real-world maritime environment testing.
- Institute for Disability Studies (IDS)coreUSM business students developed branding recommendations for EARN IT entrepreneurship program for young adults with disabilities, preparing high schoolers for workforce success in coffee roasting, auto mechanics, and graphic design industries.
- Lynn Meadows Discovery CentercoreCollaboration with Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, Symbiotic LLC, and GULF BLUE Initiative to unveil aquaponics education exhibit 'Aquaponics in Action' at the Discovery Center. USM's Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center provides expertise for the exhibit housed in a retrofitted shipping container demonstrating sustainable food production.
- Symbiotic LLCcorePartner in aquaponics education exhibit project providing technical expertise for the sustainable food production demonstration system showing symbiotic fish and plant growth.
- GULF BLUE InitiativecorePartner in Marine Aquaculture Demonstration Initiative providing funding and support for aquaponics education exhibit as part of workforce development and community engagement along the Gulf Coast.
- Jackson State UniversitycoreCo-funder of Cohort 4 of Gulf Blue Navigator Program, USM's four-month startup accelerator for blue-tech companies beginning January 2026. Connects startups with partners including U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparitiesflagship$14.5 million federal contract to establish Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center to train 10 graduate students annually in cardiovascular and public health research. Supports Jackson Heart Study, largest community-based investigation of cardiovascular disease among African Americans.
- Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC)minorPromotional partnership featuring USM school colors black and gold on MDAC's 2025 Bureau of Regulatory Services inspection stickers distributed statewide to promote Mississippi universities.
- Dauphin Island Sea LabminorMarine aquaculture research partner in Alabama focused on Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture with native Gulf species (red drum, oysters, seaweed). USM's Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center participates in related demonstration initiatives.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights7 records
University of Southern Mississippi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- University of South Alabama: Nearby Gulf Coast public research university with overlapping marine and health science research, including partnership with Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Geographic neighbor competing for ocean-enterprise and biomedical grants.
Broad incumbents
- Louisiana State University: Larger R1 public university in neighboring Louisiana with a comprehensive medical, ocean, and coastal-research portfolio. Broad incumbent across USM's research categories, scaling across a wider institutional base.
- Auburn University: Large Southeastern R1 university comparable on engineering (ABET), business (AACSB), and nursing accreditations; incumbent competitor for biomedical and polymer science grants with substantially larger research base.
- University of Alabama: Flagship R1 public university in neighboring Alabama with substantially larger research enterprise and endowment; broader incumbent across nursing, polymer, and ocean research, drawing some Mississippi students out-of-state.
- Tulane University: Private R1 research university in New Orleans with deep Gulf Coast research ties, especially in ocean/coastal science and public health. A broader, better-endowed incumbent that competes for the same Gulf-related federal contracts.
Direct peers
- Jackson State University: Mississippi's largest HBCU and direct competitor for state funding and students; co-funds the Gulf Blue Navigator Program with USM, illustrating both overlap and partnership in blue-tech workforce development.
- Mississippi State University: Mississippi's largest public research university and fellow Carnegie R1, with similar nursing/education research programs, online offerings, and competing for the same state appropriations pool. The most directly comparable institution in-state.
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss): Sister public research university in Mississippi, jointly collaborating with USM on Gulf Coast acoustic demonstrations and competing for federal and state research dollars, particularly in health and ocean sciences.
- Troy University: Regional public university with extensive online-degree infrastructure (often regarded as a national leader in online higher education) and similar student demographics in the Southeast. Strong direct competitor for USM's online programs.
Others
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab: Marine science research and education facility on the Alabama Gulf Coast that already partners with USM's Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center on integrated multitrophic aquaculture. An ecosystem participant and indirect peer in coastal marine research.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
University of Southern Mississippi social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Southern Mississippi compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
University of Southern Mississippi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Southern Mississippi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
University of Southern Mississippi subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
University of Southern Mississippi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Southern Mississippi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of Southern Mississippi
What does University of Southern Mississippi do?
The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs through on-campus instruction at Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses and fully online programs via Canvas LMS. It conducts federally funded research in marine aquaculture, ocean enterprise/autonomous systems, polymer science, and cardiovascular health, and operates specialized service and training centers such as the Institute for Disability Studies (UCEDD), Forrest Health Scholars nursing clinical pipeline, and the Gulf Blue Navigator startup accelerator.
Is University of Southern Mississippi a public or private company?
University of Southern Mississippi is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Southern Mississippi founded?
University of Southern Mississippi was founded in 1910. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is University of Southern Mississippi based?
University of Southern Mississippi is headquartered in Hattiesburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of Southern Mississippi make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are state Funding and federal Research Grants and Contracts.
Who are University of Southern Mississippi's main competitors?
University of South Alabama is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Louisiana State University, Auburn University, University of Alabama and Tulane University. Direct peers are Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Troy University. Dauphin Island Sea Lab is listed as an others.
Does University of Southern Mississippi have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Southern Mississippi.
What industry is University of Southern Mississippi in?
University of Southern Mississippi's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAF, Public Research Universities with Comprehensive Graduate & Professional Schools, with a secondary code of EDAHAAAI, Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.