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Rust College

Holly Springs, MS·Private·www.rustcollege.edu/

Campus Identity

HBCUNAIA

Rust College is a small private nonprofit college in Holly Springs, MS. Approximately 467 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 49% acceptance rate. Sardis Lake is about 15 miles from campus. Rust College is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 28/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Rust College is a small private nonprofit college in Holly Springs, MS. Approximately 467 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 49% acceptance rate. Sardis Lake is about 15 miles from campus. Rust College is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). CollegeCove's campus safety score is 28/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

49%
Acceptance Rate
3,807 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$13,265
2024-25 Tuition
$12,587
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$6,218
Room & Board
19 meals/week
467
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
6%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
12%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity49% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

Rust College is a under 1,000, small-town school with NAIA athletics. The campus is 219 miles from Cloudmont Ski.

Athletics

NAIA

HBCUAC

School Size & Setting

Under 1,000

Town setting

Ski Access

219 miles

Cloudmont Ski

Weather

Warm Climate

54°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Rust College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Cloudmont Ski, 219 miles away. All are within 308 miles of campus.

219 mi away
268 mi away
30 skiable acres7 lifts
308 mi away
65 skiable acres8 lifts

Nearby Lake

Sardis Lake is 15 miles from campus, giving Rust College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Sardis Lake

Lake access within 15.3 miles

15 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Holly Springs, MS

Holly Springs has a mild climate, with winters averaging 40°F in Jan and summers peaking around 79°F in Jul.

40°Jan43°Feb52°Mar60°Apr69°May76°Jun79°Jul78°Aug72°Sep61°Oct51°Nov43°Dec

Station: HOLLY SPRINGS 4 N · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Rust College in MS earns a composite safety score of 28/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

28/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety233138
23/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
31/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
38/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$13,265
Room & Board
$6,218
Total
$19,483
App Fee: $25
Meal Plan: 19 meals/week
$12,587avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

19 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Biology, GeneralBachelor's
22 grads/yr$33,981
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
17 grads/yr
JournalismBachelor's
14 grads/yr$41,398
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
6 grads/yr$35,634
Computer ScienceBachelor's
3 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Journalism
Bachelor's14 grads$41,398
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor's6 grads$35,634
Biology, General
Bachelor's22 grads$33,981
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's17 grads
Computer Science
Bachelor's3 grads
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
Bachelor's3 grads
Mathematics
Bachelor's3 grads
Sociology
Bachelor's3 grads
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other
Bachelor's2 grads
Chemistry
Bachelor's2 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rust College located?

Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS. The main campus address is 150 Rust Avenue, Holly Springs, MS. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Rust College?

Rust College has an acceptance rate of 49%, making it selective. Out of 3,807 applicants, 1,853 were admitted in the most recent year. 467 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Rust College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Rust College charges $13,265/year in tuition. Including room and board ($6,218/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $9,900/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,587/year — what students actually pay. Use Rust College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Rust College?

The undergraduate application fee at Rust College is $25. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Rust College have college sports?

Yes — Rust College competes at the NAIA level in the HBCUAC. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Rust College an HBCU?

Yes, Rust College is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). HBCUs were established primarily to serve Black Americans and have a rich history of academic excellence, cultural significance, and community impact. Rust College remains an important institution for higher education and Black culture.

Is Rust College the right fit for me?

Whether Rust College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (49% admit rate), avg net price ($12,587/year after aid), campus culture in Holly Springs, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Rust College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Rust College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Holly Springs, MS
Size
Under 1,000
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's
HBCU
Yes
NCAA
NAIA
Conference
HBCUAC
School Year Weather
Warm · 54°F avg
App Fee
$25
On Campus Safety Score
28/100
Nearest Airport
Oxford, MS (UOX) · 28 mialso MEM (35 mi), NQA (47 mi)

Location

Holly Springs, MS

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.