Skip to content

Mississippi State University vs William Carey University

Mississippi State University is a public university in Mississippi State, MS. William Carey University is a private university in Hattiesburg, MS. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants and Mississippi State University about 78%, making William Carey University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,258 a year at William Carey University after aid, and about $17,595 at Mississippi State University. About 65% of students graduate at Mississippi State University, compared with 51% at William Carey University. Ten years after enrolling, Mississippi State University alumni earn a median of about $51,513, against $43,087 for William Carey University.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS · Public

William Carey University

Hattiesburg, MS · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Mississippi State, MS
Hattiesburg, MS
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
18,397
2,201
Acceptance rate
78%
60%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–3.95
3.46–3.96
SAT (middle 50%)
1100–1350
1040–1290
ACT (middle 50%)
21–29
19–25
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,595
$14,258
Full cost / yr
$29,267
$29,651
In-state tuition
$10,202
$15,480
Out-of-state tuition
$27,637
$15,480
Application fee
$40
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$14,332
$12,224
$30k - $48k
$14,372
$12,411
$48k - $75k
$18,671
$15,320
$75k - $110k
$20,704
$18,436
Over $110k
$22,987
$19,701
Outcomes
Graduation rate
65%
51%
Freshman retention
83%
78%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$43,487
$37,639
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,513
$43,087
Median debt at graduation
$22,142
$20,832
Student body
Pell grant recipients
29%
27%
First-generation students
25%
36%
International students
1%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Mississippi State University or William Carey University harder to get into?
William Carey University is harder to get into. It admits about 60% of applicants, compared with 78% at Mississippi State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Mississippi State University or William Carey University?
William Carey University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,258 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,595 at Mississippi State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Mississippi State University and William Carey University?
Before aid, Mississippi State University costs about $29,267 a year and William Carey University about $29,651. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Mississippi State University or William Carey University?
William Carey University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,224 there, against about $14,332 at Mississippi State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Mississippi State University or William Carey University?
Mississippi State University is the larger of the two, with about 18,397 undergraduates against 2,201 at William Carey University.
Does Mississippi State University or William Carey University have a better graduation rate?
Mississippi State University has the higher graduation rate, at about 65% against 51% at William Carey University.
Do graduates of Mississippi State University or William Carey University earn more?
Mississippi State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $51,513 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,087 for William Carey University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Mississippi State University and William Carey University require SAT or ACT scores?
Mississippi State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. William Carey University requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Mississippi State University and William Carey University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1100–1350 at Mississippi State University and 1040–1290 at William Carey University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school