William Carey University is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with 2,201 undergraduates. It admits 60% of applicants, costs an average of $13,507 a year after grants and graduates 57% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
William Carey University acceptance rate and admissions
William Carey University admitted 60% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 540 to 690, math 500 to 600). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
William Carey University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $15,900 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $8,586 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $29,931 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $13,507 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $13,507 a year after grants and scholarships, $16,424 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run William Carey University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
William Carey University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 57% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $46,286 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $20,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 43% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
William Carey University majors and what graduates earn
William Carey University awarded bachelor's degrees in 25 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from nursing ($82,147).
All 25 majors at William Carey University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | 114 | $74,607 | $82,147 | $16,875 |
| Teacher education by subject | 66 | $45,641 | $61,978 | $22,020 |
| Business administration | 34 | $35,496 | $51,866 | n/a |
| Criminal justice | 8 | $35,119 | $51,430 | n/a |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 0 | $36,695 | $47,152 | $19,666 |
| Biology | 38 | $32,103 | $46,598 | $16,666 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 92 | $40,001 | $42,389 | $24,998 |
| Psychology | 31 | n/a | $38,325 | $17,165 |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 26 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Health administration | 23 | $41,562 | n/a | n/a |
| Communication | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Music | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| English | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physical and occupational therapy | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Security Science and Technology | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| History | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Romance languages | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mathematics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Education | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at William Carey University
25 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 25 graduate programs
Students and location
- 2,201 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 69% women, 31% men
- 14 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small city
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at William Carey University?
William Carey University admitted 60% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does William Carey University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $15,900. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $13,507 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for William Carey University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 540 to 690 in reading and writing and 500 to 600 in math, and 19 to 25 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is William Carey University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, William Carey University reported that test scores were: required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at William Carey University?
57% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do William Carey University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $46,286 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Mississippi · William Carey University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.