Rust College vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of the South is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; The University of the South 9:1.

Rust College vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Sewanee? 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 Sewanee ($12,037 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 61.2% lower than at The University of the South ($6,217 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 323.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $42,855 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 323.1% higher at Sewanee than at Rust College (about $42,855 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of the South than at Rust College (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 238.1% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($37,171 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 440 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 440/1339; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• Sewanee has a higher acceptance rate (56.9%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

Rust College vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $24,700 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $8,837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($196 vs. $287).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.