Rust College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle Pacific University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (2,261 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Rust College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or SPU? 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 SPU ($12,037 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 62.3% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($6,217 vs. $16,491).
• Seattle Pacific University is 204.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $27,142 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 204.6% higher at SPU than at Rust College (about $27,142 more per year; $40,407.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle Pacific University than at Rust College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 187.1% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($31,558 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Seattle Pacific University (1190) is 300 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming SPU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 440/1339; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; Seattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.87 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• SPU has a higher acceptance rate (83.4%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Rust College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $25,300 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Seattle Pacific University graduates have a $2,234 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($25,603 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, SPU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($264 vs. $287).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.