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William Carey University

Hattiesburg, MS

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

1,818
Total Students
$15K
Tuition (In-State)
$15K
Tuition (Out-State)
$17K
Avg Net Price
58%
Acceptance Rate
41%
Graduation Rate
6-year
80%
Retention Rate
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About William Carey University

William Carey: A resilient Christian university fostering professional success in Mississippi.

William Carey University stands as a testament to resilience and unwavering commitment to faith-based education in Mississippi. As a private Christian institution affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, Carey offers a distinctive academic journey rooted in its motto, "Expect Great Things From God, Attempt Great Things For God." With its main campus nestled in Hattiesburg and a vibrant second campus in Biloxi's Tradition community, the university provides a diverse and supportive environment for students pursuing baccalaureate, Master's, and doctoral degrees.

Tracing its roots back to the Pearl River Boarding School in 1892, William Carey University has overcome significant challenges, including multiple devastating fires and Hurricane Katrina, demonstrating a remarkable spirit of perseverance. It evolved from Mississippi Woman's College, where it uniquely placed in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, to William Carey College, and finally achieved university status in 2006. Named in honor of William Carey, the "Father of Modern Missions," the university upholds a legacy of global impact and dedicated service.

Prospective students will find robust academic strengths, particularly within its professional schools. The university is home to the respected College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing, and the Winters School of Music, which holds the distinction of being the first All-Steinway School in Mississippi. A pioneering accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program, unique to the Gulf Coast, further highlights Carey's innovative approach to professional education, preparing graduates for impactful careers in just under three years. This blend of historical depth, academic rigor, and a nurturing Christian community makes William Carey University an inspiring choice for future leaders.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Private Christian university with two campuses in Mississippi: Hattiesburg (main) and Tradition (Biloxi).
  • ✦Established in 1892; transitioned to William Carey University status in 2006, celebrating its centennial.
  • ✦Home to the William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine, which opened in 2009.
  • ✦Offers an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program (2 years, 10 months), the only one of its kind on the Gulf Coast.
  • ✦The Winters School of Music is the first All-Steinway School in Mississippi.
  • ✦Historic achievement: Mississippi Woman's College placed third in the 1939 William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, a unique feat for a women's college.
  • ✦Serves 5,641 students, including 3,264 undergraduates.

Timeline

1892
Founded as Pearl River Boarding School in Poplarville, Mississippi
1906
Reopened as South Mississippi College in Hattiesburg after a fire
1911
Reopened as Mississippi Woman's College
1939
Mississippi Woman's College took third place in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition
1954
Became coeducational and renamed William Carey College
2006
Celebrated centennial and transitioned to William Carey University status
2009
William Carey University-Tradition Campus opened in Biloxi
2009
College of Osteopathic Medicine opened, welcoming its first class in 2010
2018
School of Pharmacy matriculated its inaugural class

Schools & Colleges

4 notable schools within William Carey University

🏥

College of Osteopathic Medicine

Opened in 2009 and welcomed its first class of 110 students in 2010, offering doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine.

🏫

Winters School of Music and Ministry Studies

An accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the first All-Steinway School in Mississippi. Its music therapy program is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association.

💉

Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by Institutions of Higher Learning of the State of Mississippi and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

💊

School of Pharmacy

Offers an accelerated Doctor of Pharmacy program (2 years, 10 months), the only one of its kind on the Gulf Coast. It has received approval for Continuing Accreditation Status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) through June 30, 2027.

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