MC vs. William Carey University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mississippi College in Clinton, MS with William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Carey University is larger than MC based on total student enrollment (5,321 students vs. 4,164 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi College is located in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting); William Carey University is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
• Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Carey University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi College 14:1; William Carey University 14:1.

MC vs. William Carey University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MC or William Carey University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at William Carey University than MC ($15,469 vs. $28,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Carey University are 49.8% lower than at Mississippi College ($8,094 vs. $16,120).
• Mississippi College is 51.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Carey University (about $8,020 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $15,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.8% higher at MC than at William Carey University (about $8,020 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $15,480.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College as at William Carey University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Carey University students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Mississippi College students ($14,621 vs. $12,676).

MC vs. William Carey University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MC or William Carey University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between William Carey University and MC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 30 points higher than at William Carey University (1170).
• Incoming MC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at William Carey University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 1140/1260; William Carey University 1040/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 21/29; William Carey University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MC - Required; William Carey University - Required.
• Accepted freshman MC students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at William Carey University (3.46).
• William Carey University has a higher acceptance rate (60.3%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 91% at MC vs. 48.3% at William Carey University.

MC vs. William Carey University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MC and William Carey University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at MC is the same as at William Carey University (51% vs. 51%).
• Graduates from Mississippi College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than William Carey University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Carey University graduates have a $4,808 lower median loan debt than MC graduates ($20,192 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, William Carey University graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MC graduates ($208 vs. $258).
• More MC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Carey University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.