Rust College vs. Belmont

Comparable Facts

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

Belmont University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (8,803 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); Belmont University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Belmont University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; Belmont University 12:1.

Rust College vs. Belmont Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Belmont? 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 Belmont ($12,037 vs. $38,578).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 58.6% lower than at Belmont University ($6,217 vs. $15,010).
• Belmont University is 220.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $29,275 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 220.7% higher at Belmont than at Rust College (about $29,275 more per year; $42,540.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Belmont University than at Rust College (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Belmont University students is 118.2% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($23,992 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. Belmont Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rust College or Belmont? 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 Belmont and Rust College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Belmont University (1260) is 370 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Belmont 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: Rust College 440/1339; Belmont University 1160/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; Belmont University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Belmont - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Belmont Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Belmont students have a 1.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Belmont has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 17.7% at Belmont.

Rust College vs. Belmont Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and Belmont? 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).

• Belmont University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Belmont University earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Belmont University graduates have a $6,057 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($21,780 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Belmont graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($225 vs. $287).
• More Belmont graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.