Eckerd College vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

Compare Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, FL with Rust College in Holly Springs, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eckerd College is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,893 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eckerd College is located in Saint Petersburg, FL (Midsize City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Eckerd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eckerd College 11:1; Rust College 10:1.

Eckerd College vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eckerd 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 Rust College than Eckerd College ($12,037 vs. $43,884).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 57.8% lower than at Eckerd College ($6,217 vs. $14,734).
• Eckerd College is 291.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $38,619 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 291.1% higher at Eckerd College than at Rust College (about $38,619 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eckerd College than at Rust College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eckerd College students is 125.7% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($24,813 vs. $10,993).

Eckerd College vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eckerd College (1250) is 360 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Eckerd College students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 1160/1330; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 24/29; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eckerd College - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Eckerd College students have a 1.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Eckerd College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Eckerd College vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Eckerd College vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eckerd 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).

• Eckerd College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Eckerd College earn a median of about $23,300 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eckerd College graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Eckerd College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($279 vs. $287).
• More Eckerd College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.