Students at Rust College benefit from one of the most affordable private college experiences in the country, with net prices that rival public institutions while maintaining small class sizes and personal attention.
The college provides crucial access to higher education for low-income and first-generation students who might otherwise be excluded from private college opportunities.
Rust College is a small private nonprofit institution in Holly Springs, Mississippi, that serves a predominantly low-income student population with exceptional affordability. While the college ranks in the bottom percentile nationally for long-term earnings outcomes, it provides one of the most accessible private college experiences in the country, with nearly 69% of students receiving Pell Grants and 46% being first-generation college students. The institution's strength lies in its commitment to serving underrepresented populations rather than maximizing graduate earnings.
Net prices are remarkably low across all income levels, with low-income students paying just $8,487 annually and even high-income families seeing costs of only $7,027 per year. This affordability comes through substantial institutional aid that makes private education accessible to students who might otherwise be priced out. However, graduates face significant challenges in the job market, with median 10-year earnings of $32,275 placing the college in the bottom 3% nationally for return on investment.
For families prioritizing college access and affordability over earnings potential, Rust College offers a pathway to higher education that might not otherwise exist. The institution serves as an important access point for students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education, though prospective students should carefully consider the long-term financial implications of the modest earnings outcomes typical of graduates.
Rust College's academic portfolio is limited in both scope and earning potential, with Biology serving as the primary program graduating 37 students annually. Biology graduates earn a median of $17,595 ten years after graduation, which represents one of the lowest returns for this field nationally. The concentration in this single program area reflects the college's small size and limited resources, but also creates vulnerability for students seeking diverse career pathways or higher-earning opportunities.
The modest earnings outcomes across the college's programs suggest systemic challenges in connecting students with high-value career paths or providing the professional development resources necessary for strong post-graduation success. With only 13 graduates across all programs earning more than $75,000 annually, the institution faces significant limitations in its ability to prepare students for high-paying careers. Students considering Rust College should carefully evaluate whether the available programs align with their career goals and income expectations, particularly given the limited diversity of academic offerings and the consistently modest earnings outcomes across available fields of study.
Graduates of Rust College face significant earnings challenges that place the institution among the lowest-performing colleges nationally for financial return. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $32,275, which ranks in the bottom 3% of all institutions tracked. This earnings level reflects both the college's small size and limited program diversity, as well as broader economic challenges facing graduates in the regional job market.
The college's primary academic program is Biology, which graduates 37 students annually but produces median earnings of just $17,595 ten years out. This represents one of the lowest earnings levels for biology graduates nationally and highlights the challenges facing students in translating their education into strong career outcomes. With only 13 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually across all programs, the institution struggles to connect students with high-paying career paths.
While Rust College does provide a slight earnings advantage compared to what similar students might achieve without college, this value-added benefit of approximately $363 is minimal in practical terms. The combination of low absolute earnings and limited upward mobility creates substantial challenges for graduates attempting to build financial security or repay educational debt, making careful consideration of career goals and financial expectations essential for prospective students.
Rust College excels in affordability, ranking in the top 20% nationally for keeping costs low across all income levels. Low-income students pay just $8,487 per year after aid, while middle-income families see annual costs of $11,635, and even high-income families pay only $7,027 annually. This exceptional affordability reflects the institution's commitment to making private education accessible through substantial institutional financial aid that dramatically reduces the sticker price.
The college's aid strategy effectively removes financial barriers for students from diverse economic backgrounds, with particularly strong support for low-income families who represent the majority of the student body. Federal loan debt levels are moderate at $26,159 for typical graduates, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages just $5,222, indicating that most families can cover costs through grants and modest borrowing rather than taking on excessive debt loads.
Despite the low upfront costs, the affordability picture becomes more complex when considering post-graduation earning power. While students avoid high debt burdens during college, the modest earnings outcomes mean that even moderate debt levels can represent a significant portion of graduates' post-college income, requiring careful financial planning and realistic expectations about repayment timelines.
Rust College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
