At Rust College, we want every student to be successful -- and we're going to work hard with you to make it happen. Our Academic Skills Program (ASP) immediately assists students to improve their college readiness. Our two-week orientation program, OASIS, prepares you for a successful college career and ensures that you are quickly part of our community. We provide an environment that nurtures academic and personal development.
Rust is the second-oldest private college in Mississippi. Founded in 1866, shortly after the end of the Civil War, Rust is located on a 126-acre campus in rural Holly Springs, 35 miles southeast of Memphis. With an admit rate of only 43%, the College is one of the most selective HBCUs.
Our full-time faculty percentage is 93%, roughly twice the U.S. college national average (47%). Our warm and friendly faculty and staff not only know the 800 students by name - but also their families and backgrounds. 97% of freshmen live on campus. Our library is named after Leontyne Price, a Mississippi native and the first Black international opera star.
Rust offers 20 bachelor's degree programs and two associate degree programs. Biology, broadcast journalism, and kindergarten and pre-school education are among the most popular majors. Graduates not only include traditional professionals (doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, teachers and preachers) but also computer programmers and technicians, politicians, research chemists and editors and writers.
Related to the United Methodist Church, Rust offers internships, study-abroad programs and NAIA varsity sports teams. There are weekend and evening programs for non-traditional students.
