Rust College vs. Southern Adventist University

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Adventist University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (3,229 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); Southern Adventist University is in Collegedale, TN (Large Suburban setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Adventist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; Southern Adventist University 19:1.

Rust College vs. Southern Adventist University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University ($12,037 vs. $25,753).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 30.1% lower than at Southern Adventist University ($6,217 vs. $8,900).
• Southern Adventist University is 105.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $14,035 more per year; $27,300.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.8% higher at Southern Adventist University than at Rust College (about $14,035 more per year; $27,300.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Adventist University than at Rust College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Adventist University students is 17.4% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($12,904 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. Southern Adventist University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rust College or Southern Adventist University? 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 Southern Adventist University and Rust College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern Adventist University (1160) is 270 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Southern Adventist University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 440/1339; Southern Adventist University 1020/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; Southern Adventist University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Southern Adventist University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Southern Adventist University students have a 0.93 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Southern Adventist University has a higher acceptance rate (65.5%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 36.9% at Southern Adventist University.

Rust College vs. Southern Adventist University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and Southern Adventist University? 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).

• Southern Adventist University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Southern Adventist University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have a $1,337 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($26,500 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Southern Adventist University graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($274 vs. $287).
• More Southern Adventist University 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.