Spelman vs. William Carey University

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA 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 Spelman based on total student enrollment (5,321 students vs. 3,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); William Carey University is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Carey University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; William Carey University 14:1.

Spelman vs. William Carey University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman 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 Spelman ($15,469 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Carey University are 55.3% lower than at Spelman College ($8,094 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 103.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than William Carey University (about $16,076 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $15,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.9% higher at Spelman than at William Carey University (about $16,076 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $15,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Carey University than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Carey University students is 37.8% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($14,621 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. William Carey University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman 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 Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 40 points higher than at William Carey University (1170).
• Incoming Spelman 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: Spelman College 1108/1320; William Carey University 1040/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; William Carey University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; William Carey University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at William Carey University (3.46).
• William Carey University has a higher acceptance rate (60.3%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 48.3% at William Carey University.

Spelman vs. William Carey University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than William Carey University's (51%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than William Carey University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Carey University graduates have a $6,808 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($20,192 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, William Carey University graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($208 vs. $279).
• More Spelman graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Carey University students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.