Admit rate has ranged 54%–58% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
William Carey University, a private Christian institution in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, blends accessibility with strong nursing and education programs. With a 58% acceptance rate and a tight-knit campus culture, it attracts students seeking a faith-based education without the cutthroat competitiveness of elite schools. Its standout retention rate (82%) and affordable net price ($15,271) make it a practical choice for Mississippi students.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,201
In-state tuition
$15,480
Out-of-state tuition
$15,480
Acceptance Rate
58%
Freshman Retention
82%
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
52%
Median Early-Career Earnings
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,087
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.0×
Median debt at graduation
$20,832
Graduation rate
60%
First-year retention
78%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
54%
Pell (lower-income) share
80%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$19,201
Financial health
2.7 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$56,415
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$33,993
Business Administration, Management and Operations$29,685
Biology, General$26,353
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$24,325
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
97
Summer high
91°F
Winter low
44°F
Annual rain
61.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
94
Scholarly works
4,704
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.0%
Bottom → top quintile
13%
From bottom quintile
15%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at William Carey University?
William Carey University's acceptance rate is approximately 60% (Hattiesburg, MS), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for William Carey University?
Admitted students at William Carey University typically score 1040–1290 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does William Carey University cost?
At William Carey University, the average net price (after aid) is about $14,258 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend William Carey University?
William Carey University enrolls approximately 2,201 undergraduate students.
Where is William Carey University located?
William Carey University is located in Hattiesburg, MS.
Admissions
William Carey University is moderately selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 58% (sources vary between 51-58%). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 20-27 on the ACT or 1020-1220 on the SAT. Notably, the university sets clear minimum thresholds: 20 ACT or 1030 SAT (evidence-based reading/writing + math).
Average GPA: 3.41
Test-Optional? Unclear from sources, but minimum scores suggest testing is emphasized
Demographics: 37% of undergraduates live on campus, indicating a mix of residential and commuter students
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$22,667
Psychology, General$20,726
English Language and Literature, General$18,309
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
William Carey offers a mix of practical and faith-based programs, with particular strength in nursing (ranked #70 nationally by Niche) and education (#9 nationally). The 13:1 student-faculty ratio supports personalized attention.
Notable programs:
Undergraduate: Nursing, Business Administration, Elementary Education, Criminal Justice
Graduate: Doctorates in Nursing Education (DNP to PhD) and Healthcare Administration
Online options: Many programs available fully online
An impressive 82% freshman retention rate suggests students are satisfied with their academic experience.
The university fosters a "family-like" Christian community where 37% of undergraduates live on campus. Instagram posts show active campus traditions like orientation events and intramurals. Key characteristics:
Faith integration: All student organizations and activities emphasize Christian values
Supportive environment: Multiple sources describe staff and students as exceptionally welcoming
Limited Greek life: No mention of sororities/fraternities in available sources
Location: Hattiesburg provides a small-town feel with some college-town amenities
Median earnings: $36,427 one year post-graduation; $43,087 after ten years
Money.com ranked WCU #1 in Mississippi for value, considering both graduation rates and post-grad earnings. The university aims for a 70% graduation rate but hasn't yet hit this benchmark.
William Carey carves a niche as Mississippi's most balanced Christian university:
1. Faith-meets-practicality: Strong nursing and education programs align with Christian service values 2. Support system: 82% freshman retention reflects exceptional student satisfaction 3. Accessible excellence: Mid-range selectivity with better outcomes than many regional peers 4. Value proposition: #1 ranked in Mississippi for combining cost, graduation rates, and earnings
It's ideal for students wanting a faith-based education without sacrificing career preparation—especially in healthcare and teaching fields.
William Carey University logo · sourceWCU-Tradition poised for expansion | William Carey University · sourceWilliam Carey University | A Christian University | William Carey University · sourceWilliam Carey University | A Christian University | William Carey University · source
