Spelman vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Rust College in Holly Springs, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Rust College 10:1.

Spelman vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Rust 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 Spelman ($12,037 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 65.6% lower than at Spelman College ($6,217 vs. $18,091).
• Spelman College is 137.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $18,291 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.9% higher at Spelman than at Rust College (about $18,291 more per year; $31,556.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spelman College than at Rust College (96% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rust College students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($10,993 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is 320 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Spelman students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 1108/1320; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spelman College 22/29; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 1.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Rust College has a higher acceptance rate (48.7%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Spelman vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Rust 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $26,200 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spelman College graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($27,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Spelman graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($279 vs. $287).
• More Spelman 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.