Rust College vs. Tennessee Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Rust College in Holly Springs, MS with Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee Technological University is larger than Rust College based on total student enrollment (10,511 students vs. 467 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rust College is located in Holly Springs, MS (Distant Town setting); Tennessee Technological University is in Cookeville, TN (Remote Town setting).
• Rust College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rust College 10:1; Tennessee Technological University 16:1.

Rust College vs. Tennessee Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rust College or Tennessee Tech? 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 Tennessee Tech ($12,037 vs. $15,336).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rust College are 53.3% lower than at Tennessee Technological University ($6,217 vs. $13,302).
• Rust College is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee Tech (about $1,889 more per year; $13,265.00 vs. $11,376.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.4% higher at Tennessee Tech than at Rust College (about $2,311 more per year; $15,576.00 vs. $13,265.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tennessee Technological University than at Rust College (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rust College students is 5.1% larger than aid received by Tennessee Technological University students ($10,993 vs. $10,458).

Rust College vs. Tennessee Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tennessee Technological University (1180) is 290 points higher than at Rust College (890).
• Incoming Tennessee Tech 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: Rust College 440/1339; Tennessee Technological University 1048/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rust College 17/18; Tennessee Technological University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rust College - Test-free; Tennessee Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tennessee Tech Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee Tech students have a 0.97 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Rust College (2.66).
• Tennessee Tech has a higher acceptance rate (76.1%) than Rust College (48.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.4% at Rust College vs. 22.8% at Tennessee Tech.

Rust College vs. Tennessee Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rust College and Tennessee Tech? 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).

• Tennessee Technological University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Rust College's (28%).
• Graduates from Tennessee Technological University earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than Rust College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $25,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tennessee Technological University graduates have a $11,837 lower median loan debt than Rust College graduates ($16,000 vs. $27,837).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee Tech graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rust College graduates ($165 vs. $287).
• More Tennessee Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rust College students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.