Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
58% Acceptance Rate
William Carey University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
58%Acceptance Rate
3.46Avg GPA
1120Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$30,846Annual Cost
$43,087Grad Salary
24.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
58%
Avg GPA
3.46
Avg SAT
1120
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
880–1200
ACT Middle 50%
20–27
Need-Based Aid
24.6% receive Pell
William Carey University William Carey University, founded in 1906 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is a private Christian university affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The 120-acre campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in nursing, education, and ministry. WCU maintains a 12:1 student-faculty ratio and is known for its strong health professions programs. Campus features include the new Thomas Business Building and the recently expanded School of Nursing facilities. The university's athletic teams, the Crusaders, compete in NAIA sports.
WCU takes pride in its commitment to integrating faith and learning across all disciplines. Campus life includes chapel services, mission opportunities, and student organizations focused on spiritual growth. The university has expanded its online programs while maintaining its residential Christian community. Recent initiatives include the Center for Global Education and upgraded science labs. WCU's combination of academic programs, Christian environment, and commitment to service creates a transformative educational experience.
William Carey University Acceptance Rate
At 58%, admission to William Carey University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What William Carey University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 58% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.01
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
William Carey University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
William Carey University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of August 10 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 14 days left — Fall
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
William Carey University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Fall
August 10
Spring
December 15
Summer 2026
May 18
💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 2025/12/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
William Carey University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at William Carey University is 3.46. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.16–3.46 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.66–3.86.William Carey University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.06 – 3.25
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.05
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Private Baptist Christian university in Hattiesburg, MS; general undergraduate admission is required before applying to specific health programs like nursing
- LPN Advanced Placement BSN pathway: $40 application fee, proof of 2 MMR immunizations, minimum 2.75 GPA on BSN-counted courses
- Two failing grades (D/F) across required science courses trigger a mandatory TEAS science subscore at or above the program mean
- Rolling admissions open as early as six months prior to the desired term
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at William Carey University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on William Carey University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
William Carey University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if William Carey University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into William Carey University Without SAT or ACT?
William Carey University requires SAT or ACT scores — applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
William Carey University Average SAT Score: 1120
The average SAT score of admitted students at William Carey University is 1120 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1120 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1200 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? William Carey University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 880, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at William Carey University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 500 | 420 | 580 |
| SAT Reading | 540 | 460 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1120 | 880 | 1200 |
Below 880, you're behind most admitted students; at 1200 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into William Carey University with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of William Carey University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
William Carey University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at William Carey University is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 24 | 19 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 20 | 27 |
Can I get into William Carey University with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of William Carey University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at William Carey University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for William Carey University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into William Carey University isn't the hard part — building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Secure general admission before applying to the nursing track
The LPN Advanced Placement BSN pathway is a two-step process - you must first be admitted as an undergraduate to WCU, then apply separately to the nursing program itself.
Submit MMR proof the moment you're accepted
Nursing program entry requires Health Status Requirements to be cleared before the term starts, including two lifetime MMR doses. Start gathering these records early since they can take time to track down.
Target the TEAS science subscore if you've had two science course failures
Two D/F grades across required science courses trigger a requirement to hit the program's mean TEAS science subscore. If this applies to you, focus your TEAS prep specifically on science content rather than spreading effort evenly.
Apply as early as six months out for competitive health programs
WCU opens rolling applications up to six months before the desired term for programs like the LPN Advanced Placement BSN track. Apply at the earliest window rather than waiting for a deadline.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat "rolling admission" as low-urgency - but for health programs with capped clinical placement seats, applying after the early window can mean missing that cohort entirely, not just facing a later decision.
William Carey University Profile
Full Name
William Carey University
City
Hattiesburg
State
Mississippi
ZIP Code
39401
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a William Carey University Degree Worth It?
Whether William Carey University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $45,400, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.01%.
How much does a degree from William Carey University Cost?
The sticker price is $30,846/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
24.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 25.5% take federal loans at William Carey University — file your FAFSA early and list William Carey University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a William Carey University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $43,087 — about 6% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than William Carey University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as William Carey University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than William Carey University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at William Carey University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About William Carey University Admissions
Median earnings for William Carey University graduates sit around $43,087 a year.
William Carey University costs roughly $30,846 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
William Carey University's Pell Grant rate of 24.6% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 58%, William Carey University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at William Carey University average a 3.46 GPA.
William Carey University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.16 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.06, William Carey University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at William Carey University — aim above 1120, ideally within the 880–1200 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for William Carey University is August 10 for Fall applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority scholarship: 2025/12/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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