Degree Dividend
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William Carey University vs Blue Cliff College-Gulfport: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Hattiesburg MS · vs · Private for-profit, Gulfport MS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but William Carey University comes closer — median earnings $43,087 against a $57,032 total, vs $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Gulfport. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWilliam Carey UniversityBlue Cliff College-Gulfport
Net price / yr$14,258$8,252
Total net cost$57,032$33,008
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,087$22,177
Median debt$20,832$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$162,492-$556,668

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, William Carey University or Blue Cliff College-Gulfport?

Blue Cliff College-Gulfport, at $8,252 a year after aid versus $14,258 — a gap of $6,006 a year, or $24,024 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do William Carey University or Blue Cliff College-Gulfport graduates earn more?

William Carey University graduates report a median $43,087 ten years after entry, $20,910 more than the $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Gulfport. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, William Carey University or Blue Cliff College-Gulfport?

Blue Cliff College-Gulfport: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $20,832 at William Carey University, a difference of $11,332. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

70% of students finish at Blue Cliff College-Gulfport, against 60% at William Carey University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

William Carey University vs Blue Cliff College-Gulfport: frequently asked questions

Is William Carey University or Blue Cliff College-Gulfport a better value?
William Carey University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, William Carey University or Blue Cliff College-Gulfport?
Blue Cliff College-Gulfport: $8,252/yr net price after aid versus $14,258/yr at William Carey University — a difference of $6,006 a year, or about $24,024 over four years.
Do William Carey University or Blue Cliff College-Gulfport graduates earn more?
William Carey University graduates earn a median $43,087 ten years after entry, versus $22,177 at Blue Cliff College-Gulfport — a $20,910 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.