Auburn vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with Rust College in Holly Springs, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (34,145 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; Rust College 10:1.

Auburn vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or Rust College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rust College than Auburn ($12,037 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 62.6% lower than at Auburn University ($6,217 vs. $16,626).
• Rust College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $375 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.3% higher at Auburn than at Rust College (about $21,657 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rust College than at Auburn University (91% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rust College students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($10,993 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or Rust College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rust College and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 440 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 1.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Rust College has a higher acceptance rate (48.7%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Auburn vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and Rust College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $29,000 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University graduates have a $6,337 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Auburn graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($222 vs. $287).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 21%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.