Rust College: 78.8% Acceptance Rate

78.8%Acceptance

$13,840Tuition

428Students

27%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,275Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNAIAData: 2023-24HBCUUnited Methodist

About Rust College

Rust College carries the legacy of being one of America's oldest historically black colleges, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1866. The small campus in Holly Springs, Mississippi enrolls 428 students and maintains the intimate feel of a close-knit community where professors know every student's name. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small and personal. The college accepts about 79% of applicants, making it accessible to students who might struggle to get into larger universities.

The financial picture tells an important story about affordability. While tuition runs $13,840, the average student pays just $8,751 after financial aid, with 69% receiving help to cover costs. Graduates leave with a median debt of $26,159 but earn about $32,275 ten years after graduation. That creates manageable monthly loan payments of $277, though only 21% of borrowers stay current on their loans. For low-income families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $8,487.

The college struggles with retention, keeping only 10% of students from freshman to sophomore year, and just 27% graduate within six years. However, 93% of the student body is Black, creating a supportive environment where students see themselves reflected in their peers. The Bearcats compete in NAIA athletics across 11 sports, with 217 student-athletes receiving $490,000 in athletic scholarships.

Academics & Faculty

Rust College focuses on liberal arts education with an emphasis on preparing students for careers in education, business, and social work. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means classes are small and professors know students personally, but the 25% four-year graduation rate shows many students struggle to finish on time. The school is particularly known for its teacher education program, which has trained educators for rural Mississippi communities since 1866. Business administration and social work are also popular majors that connect to the college's mission of community service. Students get individualized attention from professors, but the low retention rate of just 10% suggests the academic environment can be challenging for some first-year students.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Faculty: 94.4%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 25.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 27.0%
Retention Rate: 9.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,275
Carnegie Classification: Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Journalism.	Bachelor	$19,683
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Bachelor	$19,455
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Campus Life

Rust College sits in Holly Springs, Mississippi, about an hour south of Memphis. This small historically black Methodist college feels intimate with just 428 students spread across a traditional campus. With housing for 800 students, most undergraduates live on campus, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors actually know your name and notice when you skip class.

Mississippi weather means hot, humid summers and mild winters where you'll need a light jacket but rarely a heavy coat. Holly Springs is a small town (population around 7,000), so campus life revolves around residence halls, the dining hall, and student organizations. Weekends often center around Bearcat athletic events, with 217 students participating in 11 NAIA sports. The United Methodist heritage influences campus culture, though it's not overly restrictive. Students often drive to Memphis for shopping and entertainment. The low 9.52% retention rate suggests many students find the rural setting and limited campus resources challenging, so this works best for students who thrive in very small, close communities.

Setting: Town-Distant
Housing Capacity: 800 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1866

Campus Safety (2023)

24 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Dating Violence	3	2	0	1
Domestic Violence	3	2	0	1
Stalking	2	1	0	1
Aggravated Assault	1	0	1	1
Burglary	2	0	0	0
Robbery	1	0	1	0
Rape	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 27°–49°F
July Avg: 67°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 112.1"
Annual Snowfall: 4.0"

Student Demographics

Rust College draws students who need affordable access to higher education, with 69% receiving Pell Grants and a diverse gender split of roughly half men and half women. The student body of 428 is 93% Black, reflecting the college's mission as a historically black institution founded by Methodists in 1866. About two-thirds of students come from outside Mississippi, showing that families across the South trust Rust to provide education grounded in both academic learning and Methodist values. Students here typically come from working-class backgrounds seeking their first shot at college.

Men: 49.5%
Women: 50.5%
White: 0.2%
Black: 92.8%
Hispanic: 0.5%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 35.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 68.8%

Location

Holly Springs, Mississippi sits about 35 miles southeast of Memphis, Tennessee, giving students access to a major city while living in a small town of around 7,700 people. The campus occupies 126 acres in the rolling hills of northern Mississippi, where the landscape shifts from Delta flatlands to wooded countryside. Holly Springs maintains its historic charm as a former antebellum town, with tree-lined streets and preserved 19th-century architecture. The setting offers a quiet, close-knit community atmosphere where the 428-student enrollment means everyone knows each other. Students considering colleges in Mississippi may also compare Rust College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,275
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,792
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $20,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 21.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $277/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $26,159

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Rust College?

Rust College accepts 78.76% of applicants, making it accessible to most students who apply. The average SAT score is 890, reflecting the college's commitment to serving students across a wide range of academic backgrounds. As a historically black college founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rust focuses on providing educational opportunities rather than exclusivity.

How much does Rust College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,751 after financial aid, with 68.76% of students receiving some form of financial assistance. The total cost of attendance is $20,320, but generous aid packages make this HBCU affordable for families across income levels. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $8,487 on average.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Rust College?

Rust College maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 428 students enrolled, creating an intimate learning environment. This small size allows for personalized attention in a close-knit community setting. The college operates on a semester system and emphasizes hands-on learning in its academic programs.

What are the graduation rates at Rust College?

Rust College has a 27% six-year graduation rate and 25.38% four-year graduation rate, which reflects challenges common among institutions serving first-generation college students. Graduates earn a median salary of $32,275 ten years after graduation. The college's 98.7% employment rate shows strong job placement despite lower completion rates.

Where is Rust College located and what is campus life like?

Rust College sits in Holly Springs, Mississippi, a small town with deep historical roots about an hour southeast of Memphis. The campus houses up to 800 students and fields 11 varsity sports teams called the Bearcats in NAIA competition. With 217 total athletes, sports play a significant role in campus culture at this Methodist-affiliated institution.

Is Rust College a historically black college?

Yes, Rust College is an HBCU founded in 1866 by the Methodist Episcopal Church during Reconstruction. The student body is 92.76% Black, maintaining its mission to serve African American students. As one of the oldest HBCUs in Mississippi, Rust has educated generations of Black leaders and professionals throughout the South.