Alabama vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Alabama is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (40,846 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• The University of Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Alabama 19:1; Rust College 10:1.

Alabama vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama 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 Alabama ($12,037 vs. $22,559).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 58.6% lower than at The University of Alabama ($6,217 vs. $15,016).
• Rust College is 8.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama (about $1,085 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $12,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.6% higher at Alabama than at Rust College (about $20,907 more per year; $34,172.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rust College than at The University of Alabama (91% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Alabama students is 59.2% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($17,503 vs. $10,993).

Alabama vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama 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 Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Alabama (1290) is 400 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Alabama students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 1170/1400; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Alabama 24/31; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Alabama students have a 1.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at Alabama vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Alabama vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama 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).

• The University of Alabama's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from The University of Alabama earn a median of about $24,800 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,900 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Alabama graduates have a $4,087 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($23,750 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Alabama graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($245 vs. $287).
• More Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.