Mississippi Valley State University vs Rust College
Rust College is very selective with a 34.7% acceptance rate, making it harder to get into than Mississippi Valley State University (51.2%). Both schools produce similar 10-year median earnings around $32,275. For families earning $48k–$75k, Mississippi Valley State University is more affordable at $9,627 net price vs $13,878. Students at Rust College graduate with less debt ($26,159 vs $28,413).
Admissions & Outcomes
Mississippi Valley State University has a higher yield rate (19.0%), meaning a larger share of admitted students choose to enroll — a strong signal of student preference.
Itta Bena, MS
Holly Springs, MS
Net Price by Family Income
Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships — often far less than the sticker price. It varies dramatically by family income. For low-income families ($0–$30k), Mississippi Valley State University is more affordable at $9,073 per year. At higher incomes ($110k+), the gap narrows — $17,479 vs $18,356.
Net price data from College Scorecard. Run each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate based on your family's finances.
Financial Aid
Institutional grants come directly from the school's endowment and don't need to be repaid. A high institutional grant rate means the school is investing its own funds in affordability. Rust College enrolls more Pell Grant recipients (69%), indicating stronger support for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Highest-Earning Majors
Median earnings within two years of graduation. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on lifetime earnings than the school name on your diploma.
Mississippi Valley State University
- 1 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$28,019
- 2 Business Administration, Management and Operations$26,850
- 3 Health and Physical Education/Fitness$25,194
- 4 Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$24,421
- 5 Criminal Justice and Corrections$22,192
Rust College
- 1 Journalism$19,683
- 2 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$19,455
- 3 Biology, General$17,595
Most Popular Majors
The most popular majors by number of degrees awarded. This gives you a sense of each school's academic strengths and where students concentrate.
Mississippi Valley State University
- 1 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- 2 Biology, General
- 3 Business Administration, Management and Operations
- 4 Social Work
- 5 Criminal Justice and Corrections
Rust College
- 1 Biology, General
- 2 Business Administration, Management and Operations
- 3 Journalism
- 4 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
- 5 Computer Science
Campus & Student Body
Enrollment size, diversity, and retention paint a picture of campus culture. A high retention rate means students are satisfied enough to return after freshman year.
For International Students
Key cost and campus considerations for students coming from outside the US.
Mississippi Valley State University
- International studentsN/A
- Tuition (international)$6,726
- Est. total cost/year$14,744
- School typePublic
Rust College
- International students4%
- Tuition (international)$9,900
- Est. total cost/year$16,655
- School typePublic
What international students should know
- International students pay out-of-state tuition at public universities. Private universities charge the same tuition for all students.
- Most federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) is not available to international students. Look for institutional aid and merit scholarships.
- F-1 visa holders can work on-campus during the school year and use CPT/OPT for internships and post-graduation employment.
- Schools with a higher international student percentage typically have stronger support services — dedicated international offices, visa advising, and cultural programs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Mississippi Valley State University or Rust College?
Rust College is more selective with a 34.7% acceptance rate, compared to 51.2%. Both are competitive schools that receive tens of thousands of applications each year.
Which school has higher earnings: Mississippi Valley State University or Rust College?
Rust College graduates earn more at the 10-year mark, with median earnings of $32,275 compared to $31,919. Earnings vary significantly by major — STEM fields typically produce the highest returns at both schools.
Which is cheaper: Mississippi Valley State University or Rust College?
For middle-income families ($48k–$75k), Mississippi Valley State University has a lower net price at $9,627 per year vs $13,878. Net price varies by family income — use each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the graduation rate at Mississippi Valley State University vs Rust College?
Mississippi Valley State University has a higher 6-year graduation rate at 24.3%, compared to 17.3%. A high graduation rate signals strong academic support, student engagement, and a campus culture where students thrive.
Which school has more international students: Mississippi Valley State University or Rust College?
Rust College has a larger international student population at 4% of enrollment. A higher international student percentage often means stronger support services for visa holders, including dedicated international student offices, OPT/CPT guidance, and cultural programming.
What are the highest-paying majors at Mississippi Valley State University and Rust College?
At Mississippi Valley State University, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduates earn a median of $28,019 within two years. At Rust College, the top-earning major is Journalism at $19,683. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on earnings than which school you attend.