Rust College vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (38,728 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 Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

Rust College vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($12,037 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 53.5% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($6,217 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $547 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.7% higher at Tennessee than at Rust College (about $19,991 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Rust College (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 4% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($11,434 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 400 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 440/1339; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Tennessee - Required.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee students have a 1 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Rust College has a higher acceptance rate (48.7%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

Rust College vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and Tennessee? 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 Tennessee Knoxville's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $31,200 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $7,837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($206 vs. $287).
• More Tennessee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.