MC vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi College is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (4,164 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi College is located in Clinton, MS (Large Suburban setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Mississippi College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi College 14:1; Rust College 10:1.

MC vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MC 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 MC ($12,037 vs. $28,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 61.4% lower than at Mississippi College ($6,217 vs. $16,120).
• Mississippi College is 77.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $10,235 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.2% higher at MC than at Rust College (about $10,235 more per year; $23,500.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi College than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi College students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($12,676 vs. $10,993).

MC vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MC 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 MC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi College (1200) is 310 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming MC 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: Mississippi College 1140/1260; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi College 21/29; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MC - Required; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman MC students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Rust College has a higher acceptance rate (48.7%) than MC (29.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 91% at MC vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

MC vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MC 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).

• Mississippi College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Mississippi College earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,100 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi College graduates have a $2,837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, MC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($258 vs. $287).
• More MC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.