Rust College vs. William Carey University

Comparable Facts

Compare Rust College in Holly Springs, MS with William Carey University in Hattiesburg, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

William Carey University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (5,321 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); William Carey University is in Hattiesburg, MS (Small City setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Carey University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; William Carey University 14:1.

Rust College vs. William Carey University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or William Carey 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 William Carey University ($12,037 vs. $15,469).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 23.2% lower than at William Carey University ($6,217 vs. $8,094).
• William Carey University is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $2,215 more per year; $15,480.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at William Carey University than at Rust College (about $2,215 more per year; $15,480.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Carey University than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Carey University students is 33% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($14,621 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. William Carey University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rust College or William Carey 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 William Carey University and Rust College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Carey University (1170) is 280 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming William Carey 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; William Carey University 1040/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; William Carey University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; William Carey University - Required.
• Accepted freshman William Carey University students have a 0.8 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• William Carey University has a higher acceptance rate (60.3%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 48.3% at William Carey University.

Rust College vs. William Carey University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and William Carey 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).

• William Carey University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from William Carey University earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Carey University graduates have a $7,645 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($20,192 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, William Carey University graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($208 vs. $287).
• More William Carey University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.