Louisville vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisville is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisville is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisville 14:1; Rust College 10:1.

Louisville vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Louisville 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 Louisville ($12,037 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 50.6% lower than at University of Louisville ($6,217 vs. $12,576).
• Rust College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $129 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.3% higher at Louisville than at Rust College (about $16,217 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Rust College (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 33.5% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($14,677 vs. $10,993).

Louisville vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Louisville 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 Louisville.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisville (1160) is 270 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Louisville students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 1040/1270; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisville 19/27; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Louisville - Test optional; Rust College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Louisville students have a 0.98 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Louisville has a higher acceptance rate (79.4%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.1% at Louisville vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Louisville vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Louisville 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 Louisville's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Louisville earn a median of about $20,100 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $8,181 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($19,656 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($203 vs. $287).
• More Louisville graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.