Rust College
Rust College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is Rust College Worth It?
At a value score of 11/100, Rust College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $32,275 — 40% below average — while paying $12,587/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 17% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $26,159 representing 81% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Rust College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Rust College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #28 of 37 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary | 100 | $3,822 | $36,442 |
| #2 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #3 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #4 | Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'spinka | 52 | $5,646 | $36,545 |
| #5 | United Tribes Technical College | 49 | $3,569 | $25,292 |
| #6 | University of Fort Lauderdale | 48 | $19,965 | $38,062 |
| #28 | Rust College | 11 | $12,587 | $32,275 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Rust College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Rust College
The highest-earning program at Rust College is Biology, General at $17,700/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Biology, General graduate from Rust College earns $17,700, while a Biology, General graduate earns $17,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Biology, General graduates carry $26,250 in median debt vs. $26,250 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,587/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | $17,700 | $17,700 | $26,250 |
Similar Colleges in MS
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Holly Springs, MS
- Student Body
- 467 students
- Admission Rate
- 49%
- Graduation Rate
- 17%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,587
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $32,275
- Median Student Debt
- $26,159