Mississippi State vs. William Carey University

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi State University is larger than William Carey University based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 5,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); William Carey University is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Carey University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; William Carey University 14:1.

Mississippi State vs. William Carey University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State ($15,469 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Carey University are 37.3% lower than at Mississippi State University ($8,094 vs. $12,902).
• William Carey University is 51.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $5,278 more per year; $15,480.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.5% higher at Mississippi State than at William Carey University (about $12,157 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $15,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Carey University than at Mississippi State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Carey University students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Mississippi State University students ($14,621 vs. $13,852).

Mississippi State vs. William Carey University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 60 points higher than at William Carey University (1170).
• Incoming Mississippi State 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 State University 1100/1350; William Carey University 1040/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; William Carey University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; William Carey University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at William Carey University (3.46).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than William Carey University (60.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 48.3% at William Carey University.

Mississippi State vs. William Carey University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State 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).

• Mississippi State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than William Carey University's (51%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than William Carey University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Carey University graduates have a $3,058 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($20,192 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, William Carey University graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($208 vs. $240).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Carey University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.