Private Nonprofit Institution Holly Springs, MS
Rust College
Four-year college
Rust College is a private nonprofit smaller four-year college in Holly Springs, MS, focused on bachelor’s-level study, an HBCU with a rural campus setting, with about 467 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 48.7%, typical net price of $12,587 after grants, first-year retention of 84.4%, about 11.8% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $25,641 six years after enrollment.
Grade for Rust College
Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.
Overall grade
D
Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.
$12,587Average net price
11.8%Graduation rate
$25,641Median earnings, 6 years after entry
71.5%Pell Grant recipient share
Key facts for Rust College
Key rankings for Rust College
Where Rust College ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#325 of 1,811
Net Price
#1,729 of 1,816
Earnings
#468 of 1,808
Retention
#1,780 of 1,850
Graduation
#1,387 of 1,767
Debt
What stands out at Rust College
Rust College in Holly Springs, MS is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.
- Town (somewhat rural)
- HBCU
- 467 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Average net price after aid runs below the national median for similar schools, but six-year earnings also trail that median. Families should weigh aid, majors, and local job markets together.
First-year retention is closer to the national average for similar schools than graduation is to the national median—a pattern that can reflect transfers, stop-outs, or uneven progress to a credential.
Admission is tighter than the national middle for similar schools while Pell Grant use is elevated—often seen where competitive entry coexists with substantial need among enrolled students.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Rust College
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is below the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is below the national median of $26,816.
How Rust College compares
Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Southeast (region 5).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (MS) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $12,587Below national median | $15,676 | $18,796 | $19,923 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $25,641Below national median | $37,110 | $39,566 | $45,225 |
| Retention | 84.4%Above national median | 72.1% | 71.9% | 74.9% |
| Graduation | 11.8%Below national median | 50.0% | 48.8% | 54.4% |
| Acceptance rate | 48.7%Below national median | 77.6% | 74.3% | 77.0% |
| Pell share | 71.5%Above national median | 44.0% | 37.9% | 33.9% |
| Median debt | $26,159Above national median | $24,330 | $24,053 | $23,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Rust College
- HBCU
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Rust College
Common questions about Rust College, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Rust College located?
Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Rust College?
Rust College is a private nonprofit four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Rust College (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $13,265 for in-state students and $13,265 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $12,587. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Rust College's acceptance rate?
The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 48.7% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.
How large is Rust College's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 467. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Rust College?
Median earnings six years after entry at Rust College are roughly $25,641. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 11.8% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Rust College?
Among similar schools nationwide, Rust College stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#325 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#1,729 of 1,816); First-year retention (#468 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#1,780 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#1,387 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Rust College?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Rust College’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Rust College Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Rust College |
| Official website | www.rustcollege.edu/ |
| City, state | Holly Springs, MS |
| School type | Four-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 467 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $13,265 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $13,265 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $13,265 |
| Total cost of attendance | $23,107 |
| Room and board (on campus) | $6,217 |
| Average net price | $12,587 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $25,641 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $26,918 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $32,275 |
| Median loan debt | $26,159 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 84.4% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | 11.8% |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | Not reported |
| Acceptance rate | 48.7% |
| SAT average | Not reported |
| ACT average | Not reported |
| Pell Grant share | 71.5% |
| Share with federal loans | 69.6% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 10.3% |
| Campus setting | Town (somewhat rural) |
| Student–faculty ratio | 10 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $5,096 |
| Full-time faculty share | 85.7% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | Yes |
| SAT midpoint, Math | Not reported |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | Not reported |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 52.2% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 47.8% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 91.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 1.9% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 0.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 0.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 0.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 3.6% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | Not reported |
Sources for Rust College
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.