Rust College vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rust College in Holly Springs, MS with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephens College is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (568 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Rust College vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Stephens 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 Stephens College ($12,037 vs. $23,194).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 53.5% lower than at Stephens College ($6,217 vs. $13,366).
• Stephens College is 113.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $15,035 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.3% higher at Stephens College than at Rust College (about $15,035 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 112.3% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($23,341 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephens College (1200) is 310 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Stephens College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 440/1339; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Stephens College students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Stephens College has a higher acceptance rate (77.2%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Rust College vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and Stephens 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).

• Stephens College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Stephens College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephens College graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Stephens College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($279 vs. $287).
• More Stephens College 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.