•AVERAGE: 68
William Carey University is a private, 4-year school located in Hattiesburg, MS. The school was founded in 1892 as Pearl River Boarding School; it was renamed South Mississippi College and relocated to Hattiesburg in 1906 after a fire destroyed the original school. It closed in 1911 due to another fire, and re-opened s Mississippi Women’s College. The school went co-ed in 1954, and was given its present name to honor the 18th century missionary. The 120 acre campus features traditional collegiate red brick architecture and much open space. Besides the main academic quad is the Chain Garden, named in honor of a former mayor’s family. Each year, the University selects a theme verse for the school year. Past choices include Matthew 5:41 for the theme of “Going the Extra Mile” and James 1:22 for “Action, not words.” The 2016-2017 theme is Equipping for every good work with 2 Timothy 3:17.