MUW vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Mississippi University for Women is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (2,193 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MUW vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MUW 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 MUW ($12,037 vs. $12,487).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 27.5% lower than at Mississippi University for Women ($6,217 vs. $8,572).
• Rust College is 56.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MUW (about $4,773 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.2% higher at Rust College than at Mississippi University for Women (about $4,773 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $8,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi University for Women than at Rust College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rust College students is 14.1% larger than aid received by Mississippi University for Women students ($10,993 vs. $9,635).

MUW vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MUW 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 MUW.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mississippi University for Women (1020) is 130 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming MUW students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi University for Women 850/1180; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mississippi University for Women 18/24; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MUW - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman MUW students have a 0.83 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• MUW has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at MUW vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

MUW vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MUW 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 University for Women's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Mississippi University for Women earn a median of about $12,700 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,800 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi University for Women graduates have a $12,837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, MUW graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($155 vs. $287).
• More MUW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.