Whittier College vs. Rust College

Comparable Facts

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

Whittier College is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (795 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); Rust College is in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting).
• Whittier College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Whittier College 8:1; Rust College 10:1.

Whittier College vs. Rust College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College 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 Whittier College ($12,037 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 63.6% lower than at Whittier College ($6,217 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 287.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $38,085 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 287.1% higher at Whittier College than at Rust College (about $38,085 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Whittier College than at Rust College (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 229.1% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($36,176 vs. $10,993).

Whittier College vs. Rust College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Whittier College 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 Whittier College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is 350 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Whittier College 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: Whittier College 1140/1340; Rust College 440/1339.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30; Rust College 17/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; Rust College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.95 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Whittier College has a higher acceptance rate (80.8%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 6.4% at Rust College.

Whittier College vs. Rust College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier College 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).

• Whittier College's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $22,300 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Whittier College graduates have a $2,337 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($25,500 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Whittier College graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($263 vs. $287).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.