Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. William Carey University

Should I go to Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or William Carey University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or William Carey University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. William Carey University comparison
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University College 3 College 4
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
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Overview

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
Location Magnolia, AR Hattiesburg, MS
Setting Remote Town Small City
Enrollment 5,127 5,448
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #885 #480
Religious Affiliation - Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website saumag.edu wmcarey.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
Tuition (In State) $7,200 $13,500
Tuition (Out of State) $12,780 $13,500
Room & Board $7,601 $7,599
Avg Net Price $14,164 $17,192
Avg Grant Aid $9,826 $13,564
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,936 571
Admitted 1,955 331
Acceptance Rate 66.6% 58%
Enrolled % 40.8% 61.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 17/23 20/27
SAT Range 920/1180 880/1200
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 27, 2026

Academics

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (17%)
  • Psychology (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Business (10%)

Outcomes

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
Graduation Rate 34% 51%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,900 $40,900
Making Student Loan Payments 44% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,020 $20,192
Median Loan Payment $175 $208

Diversity

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
% Men 17% 14%
% Women 21% 29%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 60%
% Black 28% 31%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
% In-State 69% 70%
% Out-of-State 31% 21%

Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus William Carey University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • William Carey University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (5,448 students vs. 5,127 students)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. William Carey University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or William Carey University?

  • William Carey University is 87.5% more expensive to attend than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus for in-state tuition ($13,500.00 vs. $7,200.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.6% higher at William Carey University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,500.00 vs. $12,780.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than William Carey University ($14,164 vs. $17,192)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Carey University are 0% lower than costs at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($7,599 vs. $7,601)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than William Carey University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by William Carey University students is 38% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,564 vs. $9,826)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. William Carey University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or William Carey University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between William Carey University or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .

  • The average SAT score at William Carey University (1071) is 83 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
  • Incoming William Carey University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
  • Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have at the same average high school GPA (3.46) as students at William Carey University (3.46)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (66.6%) than William Carey University (58%)

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. William Carey University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or William Carey University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between William Carey University and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

  • The graduation rate at William Carey University is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (51% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from William Carey University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($40,900 vs. $37,900)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $3,172 lower median federal student loan debt than William Carey University graduates. ($17,020 vs. $20,192)
  • Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than William Carey University graduates. ($175 vs. $208)
  • More William Carey University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/