Rust College vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

Rust College vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or VWC? 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 VWC ($12,037 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 47.9% lower than at Virginia Wesleyan University ($6,217 vs. $11,930).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 182.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $24,235 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.7% higher at VWC than at Rust College (about $24,235 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 172.2% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($29,923 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 360 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming VWC 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; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman VWC students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 11.9% at VWC.

Rust College vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Virginia Wesleyan University 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, Virginia Wesleyan University graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, VWC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($279 vs. $287).
• More VWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.