LSU vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA with Rust College in Holly Springs, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University 21:1; Rust College 10:1.

LSU vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSU 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 LSU ($12,037 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 58.9% lower than at Louisiana State University ($6,217 vs. $15,142).
• Rust College is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSU (about $1,311 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $11,954.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115.8% higher at LSU than at Rust College (about $15,366 more per year; $28,631.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rust College than at Louisiana State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 28.2% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($14,094 vs. $10,993).

LSU vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSU 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 LSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 370 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming LSU students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 1180/1340; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University 24/30; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSU - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 1.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• LSU has a higher acceptance rate (73.3%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23% at LSU vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

LSU vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSU 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).

• Louisiana State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $6,937 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($20,900 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($216 vs. $287).
• More LSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.