Mississippi State vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi State University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (23,150 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mississippi State University 16:1; Rust College 10:1.

Mississippi State vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State ($12,037 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 51.8% lower than at Mississippi State University ($6,217 vs. $12,902).
• Rust College is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $3,063 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.3% higher at Mississippi State than at Rust College (about $14,372 more per year; $27,637.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Rust College (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 26% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($13,852 vs. $10,993).

Mississippi State vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mississippi State 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 Mississippi State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi State University (1230) is 340 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Mississippi State 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 State University 1100/1350; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi State University 21/29; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mississippi State - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mississippi State students have a 0.92 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Mississippi State has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.8% at Mississippi State vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Mississippi State vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mississippi State 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Mississippi State University earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $4,587 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($240 vs. $287).
• More Mississippi State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.