Alma College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Alma College in Alma, MI with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Alma College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alma College is located in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alma College 14:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Alma College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alma College or Mars Hill University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mars Hill University than Alma College ($18,925 vs. $22,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 13.6% lower than at Alma College ($12,258 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 31.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $11,816 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at Alma College than at Mars Hill University (about $11,816 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Alma College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 34% larger than aid received by Mars Hill University students ($41,618 vs. $31,066).

Alma College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alma College or Mars Hill University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mars Hill University and Alma College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alma College - Test-free; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at Mars Hill University (3.5).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.6% at Alma College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Alma College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alma College and Mars Hill University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University and Alma College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Mars Hill University and Alma College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.