Rust College vs. Meredith

Comparable Facts

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

Meredith College is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (1,465 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rust College vs. Meredith Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Meredith? 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 Meredith ($12,037 vs. $24,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 53.2% lower than at Meredith College ($6,217 vs. $13,280).
• Meredith College is 244% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rust College (about $32,365 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 244% higher at Meredith than at Rust College (about $32,365 more per year; $45,630.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Meredith College than at Rust College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Meredith College students is 201.2% larger than aid received by Rust College students ($33,116 vs. $10,993).

Rust College vs. Meredith Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rust College or Meredith? 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 Meredith and Rust College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Meredith College (1220) is 330 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Meredith students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 17 at Rust College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 440/1339; Meredith College 1098/1348.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; Meredith College 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Meredith - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Meredith Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Meredith students have a 0.86 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Meredith has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 18.5% at Meredith.

Rust College vs. Meredith Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and Meredith? 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).

• Meredith College's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Meredith College earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Meredith College graduates have a $1,837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Meredith graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($268 vs. $287).
• More Meredith graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.