Faust attended Inkster High, just outside Detroit, where he averaged 32.7 points per game as a senior and was named one of the top ten players in Michigan and was named a high school All-American. Inkster High had a 22-2 record his senior year and an 87-7 overall mark during Faust's three seasons there. He shot 56 percent from the floor as a senior and played in the Detroit Roundball Classic. He also participated in Detroit 's East Side-West Side All-Star game.

After high school, Faust attended national power Vincennes (Ind.) Junior College. As a freshman, Faust led Vincennes to an undefeated 33-0 season and the national championship. During that campaign Eartha led his team in free throw and field goal percentage and was named the Most Valuable Player in the regional tournament. He was also selected first team in Region 12. Faust averaged 18.4 points per game and led Vincennes to a 28-5 record as a sophomore. The team was ranked second in the nation and lost in the semi-finals of the national tournament. 

Faust transferred to WVU his junior year and was considered an excellent shooter who had played top-notch competition in both high school and junior college. His experience as a winner along with his maturity was a great asset to the Mountaineers. That season, Eartha saw action in all 25 games, starting 24 of them. He was the leading scorer in 11 contests hitting 30 and 31 points against Virginia Tech and Richmond, respectively. He averaged 15.6 points a game on 180 of 368 shots from the floor and 31 of 45 from the free throw line.