WCU ranked No. 2 on the “Best Colleges in Mississippi” list

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – Community, opportunity, family; all words used to describe William Carey University.

In its annual review, Niche ranked WCU No. 2 on its “Best Colleges in Mississippi” list.

Niche used data from the United States Department of Education to rank the top four-year colleges and universities statewide.

Factors included cost, academics, campus life, dorms, dining and more.

“A lot of times, we’re separated out as a private institution only compared against private schools in Mississippi,” Carey President Dr. Ben Burnett said. “But this (Niche), lets us know where we stand among all of the universities.

“It’s really important to us to know how we stack up against everybody else.”

Niche is different from other ranking organizations because of its emphasis on current student as well as alumni opinions.

WCU students Kate Fletcher, Kendrick Davis and Kam Batty said they all have their own reasons for holding WCU high.

“The people here want to know your story, they want to know what you want to do, your career goals, your passions,” Fletcher said. “And I always say that Carey cares, truly.”

Davis agreed.

“That’s exactly what I get from coming to Carey,” said Davis. “I feel like I have a lot of opportunities to lead, a lot of opportunities to learn, and just perform, which is what I want to do.”

Batty said the school not only serves as an anchor, but as a launching pad as well.

“As I go through and start to get my bearings in a new spot, I can come back to the family that I built here at William Carey to really help me navigate through my own life,” said Batty.

Burnett said that the university is grateful for the recognition, but that it’s ready to be No. 1.

“We don’t want to be a hidden gem,” Burnett said. “We want our presence to be known.

“We’re a big part of this community, a big part of the state and I think it’s time that everybody recognizes that.”

WCU also received three national rankings in Niche’s annual review:

• No. 3 “Best Christian College in America”
• No. 9 “Best Colleges for Education in America”
• No. 30 “Best Colleges for Education in America”

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