Catawba College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Catawba College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,376 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Catawba College 13:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Catawba College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Catawba 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 Catawba College than Mars Hill University ($18,447 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 9.6% lower than at Catawba College ($12,258 vs. $13,565).
• Mars Hill University is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than Catawba College (about $3,436 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Mars Hill University than at Catawba College (about $3,436 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $34,300.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Catawba College students ($31,066 vs. $30,808).

Catawba College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Catawba 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 Catawba College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 1030/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Catawba College 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Catawba College - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Mars Hill University (3.5).
• Catawba College has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.5% at Catawba College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Catawba College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Catawba 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).

• Catawba College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Catawba College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,000 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Catawba College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Catawba College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.