Berea College vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Berea College is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Berea College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Berea College 9:1; Rust College 10:1.

Berea College vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College 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 Berea College than Rust College ($5,888 vs. $12,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 24.3% lower than at Berea College ($6,217 vs. $8,208).
• Berea College is 289.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $38,393 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 289.4% higher at Berea College than at Rust College (about $38,393 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Berea College than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 398.8% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($54,830 vs. $10,993).

Berea College vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College 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 Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 360 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Berea College students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.96 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Rust College has a higher acceptance rate (48.7%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Berea College vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College 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).

• Graduates from Berea College earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,100 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $22,037 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($5,800 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $228 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($59 vs. $287).
• More Berea College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.