UA Huntsville vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Alabama in Huntsville is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (8,564 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama in Huntsville is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama in Huntsville 17:1; Rust College 10:1.

UA Huntsville vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville ($12,037 vs. $19,396).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 50% lower than at University of Alabama in Huntsville ($6,217 vs. $12,428).
• Rust College is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UA Huntsville (about $1,133 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $12,132.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.1% higher at UA Huntsville than at Rust College (about $13,143 more per year; $26,408.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama in Huntsville than at Rust College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rust College students is 18.6% larger than aid received by University of Alabama in Huntsville students ($10,993 vs. $9,268).

UA Huntsville vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UA Huntsville 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 UA Huntsville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama in Huntsville (1310) is 420 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming UA Huntsville 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: University of Alabama in Huntsville 1210/1410; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama in Huntsville 24/31; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UA Huntsville - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman UA Huntsville students have a 1.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• UA Huntsville has a higher acceptance rate (68.6%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.2% at UA Huntsville vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

UA Huntsville vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UA Huntsville 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).

• University of Alabama in Huntsville's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Alabama in Huntsville earn a median of about $25,400 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alabama in Huntsville graduates have a $4,337 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, UA Huntsville graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($242 vs. $287).
• More UA Huntsville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.