University Description

Rust College is a historically Black, senior liberal arts, church-related college, serving students from diverse backgrounds. Rust provides a quality college degree that every student can afford. . Read More

University History

Rust College was established in 1866 by the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Its founders were missionaries from the North who opened a school in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, accepting adults of all ages, as well as children, for instruction in elementary subjects. A year later the first building on the present campus was erected. In 1870, the school was chartered as Shaw University, honoring the Reverend S.O. Shaw, who made a gift of $10,000 to the new institution. In 1892, the name was changed to Rust University to avoid confusion with another Shaw University. The name was a tribute to Richard S. Rust of Cincinnati, Ohio, Secretary of the Freedman’s Aid Society. In 1915, the title was changed to the more realistic name, Rust College.
Graduation Rate: 40% Acceptance Rate: 29% Student Faculty Ratio: 10:1 School Setting: Rural Notable Alumni: Ida B. Wells,Anita Ward,Ruby Elzy,Leslie B. McLemore,Alvin Childress,Susie Revels Cayton,Willie Mitchell,Irvine Garland Penn,F.C. Richardson,Dembo M. Badjie,Perry Wilbon Howard II,Clinton LeSueur

Academic Programs

  • General Business Administration and Management
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
  • Elementary Education and Teaching
  • General Biology
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • General Chemistry
  • General Mathematics
  • General Political Science and Government
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • Elementary Education and Teaching
  • General Biology
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • Social Work
  • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
  • General Computer Science
  • General Mathematics
  • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
  • Public Administration
  • Elementary Education and Teaching
  • General Social Sciences
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • Public Administration
  • Public Administration
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
  • Business Teacher Education
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
  • Public Administration
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Journalism
  • Mathematics Teacher Education
  • General Chemistry
  • General Computer Science
  • General Political Science and Government
  • Sociology
  • General Biology
  • General Chemistry
  • General Political Science and Government
  • Social Work
  • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
  • Elementary Education and Teaching
  • General Biology
  • General Political Science and Government
  • Mathematics Teacher Education
  • Social Science Teacher Education
  • Social Work
  • Other English Language and Literature
  • Social Science Teacher Education
  • Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • General Computer Science
  • Social Science Teacher Education
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • General Social Sciences
  • Social Science Teacher Education
  • Mathematics Teacher Education
  • General Business Administration and Management
  • General Computer Science
  • General Mathematics
  • Sociology
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
  • Public Administration
  • Sociology
  • Business Teacher Education
  • Journalism
  • Mathematics Teacher Education
  • Other English Language and Literature
  • Preschool Education and Teaching
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Sports Offered

  • Baseball (M)
  • Basketball (M)
  • Cross Country (M)
  • Outdoor Track and Field (M)
  • Tennis (M)
  • Basketball (W)
  • Cross Country (W)
  • Outdoor Track and Field (W)
  • Softball (W)
  • Tennis (W)
  • Volleyball (W)
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Greek Life

  • Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
  • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
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