ULM vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA with Rust College in Holly Springs, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisiana at Monroe is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (8,601 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; Rust College 10:1.

ULM vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM 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 ULM ($12,037 vs. $13,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 41.1% lower than at University of Louisiana at Monroe ($6,217 vs. $10,554).
• Rust College is 44.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $4,075 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.5% higher at ULM than at Rust College (about $8,025 more per year; $21,290.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at Rust College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students is 21.3% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($13,338 vs. $10,993).

ULM vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ULM 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 ULM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Monroe (1260) is 370 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming ULM students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ULM students have a 0.87 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

ULM vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM 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 Louisiana at Monroe's six-year graduation rate (33%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Monroe earn a median of about $20,700 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $7,837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($206 vs. $287).
• More ULM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.