William Carey University provides a clear pathway into healthcare careers, with nursing graduates achieving strong earnings that significantly exceed the institutional average.
The university combines accessible admissions with practical professional programs and maintains excellent loan repayment outcomes for graduates.
William Carey University is a small private nonprofit institution in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, that focuses on preparing students for careers in healthcare, education, and business. While the university doesn't rank among the top performers nationally for earnings outcomes, it serves an important role for students seeking a close-knit academic environment with direct pathways into stable professions. About 25% of students receive Pell Grants, and 36% are first-generation college students, reflecting the university's commitment to serving students from diverse backgrounds.
The institution's strongest academic programs center on nursing and healthcare, which generate the highest returns for graduates. Adult Health Nursing stands out as both the most popular and highest-earning program, with 94 graduates earning a median of $56,415 ten years after enrollment. This program drives much of the university's positive outcomes, though graduates across other fields typically see more modest earnings.
As a small private college, William Carey University offers the personalized attention and supportive community that many students value, particularly those who thrive in smaller academic settings. The university's focus on practical, professional programs means students enter careers with clear job prospects, even if long-term earnings potential is more limited compared to larger research universities.
William Carey University's program portfolio centers on healthcare and professional fields, with nursing driving the strongest outcomes for graduates. The Adult Health Nursing program stands out as both the largest and most successful, graduating 94 students who earn a median of $56,415 ten years after enrollment. This program represents the university's core strength and provides the clearest pathway to economic advancement for students.
Beyond nursing, the university offers programs in biology, education, and business that provide stable but more modest career prospects. Biology graduates, the second-largest group with 57 students, typically enter graduate school or healthcare-adjacent roles with early earnings around $26,353. Business Administration graduates earn approximately $29,685, while Adult and Continuing Education majors see earnings around $33,993, reflecting the steady but moderate compensation typical in education fields.
The concentration of strong outcomes in healthcare programs reflects both the university's academic focus and the robust job market for healthcare professionals. Students considering William Carey should understand that program choice significantly impacts long-term earnings potential, with nursing and healthcare fields offering the strongest financial returns while other programs provide stable but more limited economic advancement.
William Carey University graduates earn a median of $43,087 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower quartile nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. However, this overall figure masks significant variation by program, with nursing graduates substantially outperforming the institutional average. The university's strongest financial returns come from its Adult Health Nursing program, where 94 graduates earn a median of $56,415, reflecting the strong job market and earning potential in healthcare fields.
Program choice makes a considerable difference in financial outcomes at William Carey. While nursing leads in both enrollment and earnings, other popular programs show more modest returns. Biology graduates, the second-largest group with 57 students, earn around $26,353 early in their careers, while Business Administration graduates earn approximately $29,685. Adult and Continuing Education graduates see earnings around $33,993, reflecting the steady but moderate pay typical in education fields.
The university's focus on healthcare and education programs provides graduates with stable career paths, even if earnings growth potential is more limited than at institutions with stronger business, engineering, or technology programs. Students should expect reliable employment prospects in their chosen fields, particularly in nursing and healthcare, but should understand that long-term earning potential may be constrained compared to graduates from more research-intensive universities.
William Carey University maintains relatively consistent net prices across income levels, making costs predictable for families during the planning process. Low-income students pay approximately $15,423 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $15,717, and higher-income families pay about $19,800. This pricing structure keeps the university accessible to students from various economic backgrounds, though the private tuition base means costs are higher than typical public alternatives in Mississippi.
Debt levels at William Carey are manageable for most graduates, with typical federal student loan debt around $20,832 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $10,688. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully despite the institution's modest earnings outcomes. The combination of reasonable debt levels and stable career outcomes in healthcare and education helps explain why borrowers avoid default.
The university's affordability story centers on providing access to professional programs without overwhelming debt burdens. While graduates may not achieve the highest earnings compared to other institutions, the combination of moderate borrowing and reliable career placement helps ensure that debt remains serviceable for most students, particularly those entering nursing and other healthcare fields where job security is strong.
William Carey University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
