Rust College vs. Sweet Briar College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rust College in Holly Springs, MS with Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rust College is larger than Sweet Briar College based on total student enrollment (467 students vs. 444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); Sweet Briar College is in Sweet Briar, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sweet Briar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; Sweet Briar College 9:1.

Rust College vs. Sweet Briar College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Sweet Briar 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 Sweet Briar College ($12,037 vs. $21,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 59.2% lower than at Sweet Briar College ($6,217 vs. $15,230).
• Sweet Briar College is 97.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $12,895 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 97.2% higher at Sweet Briar College than at Rust College (about $12,895 more per year; $26,160.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sweet Briar College than at Rust College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sweet Briar College students is 103.6% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($22,387 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. Sweet Briar College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sweet Briar College (1210) is 320 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 440/1339; Sweet Briar College 1100/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Sweet Briar College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sweet Briar College students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Sweet Briar College has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 13.2% at Sweet Briar College.

Rust College vs. Sweet Briar College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and Sweet Briar 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).

• Sweet Briar College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Sweet Briar College earn a median of about $16,600 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,700 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sweet Briar College graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Sweet Briar College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($279 vs. $287).
• More Sweet Briar College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.