How can the fact that Mississippi is a poor state with a large number of students who come from poor socioeconomic backgrounds account for USM's low graduation rate in comparison with the other public universities?

Why does USM do so poorly in graduating black students?

Here is an interesting article in this morning's Clarion-Ledger that has not received attention on the board:

"The University of Southern Mississippi had a graduation rate of 46.4 percent, the study said. Joe Paul, vice president of student affairs, blamed low grade-point averages among incoming students and a high percentage of students who are the first in their families to attend college.

"Mississippi is a poor state with a large number of students who come from poor socioeconomic backgrounds," Paul said."
 
Millsaps has best grad rate in state