Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Lenoir-Rhyne University Pfeiffer University Wingate University WSSU UNC Charlotte Guilford College Coker UNCG Barton College Bradley University of Alaska Fairbanks ECU| Catawba College | Mars Hill University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
| Location | Salisbury, NC | Mars Hill, NC | ||
| Setting | Distant Town | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 1,172 | 1,032 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #515 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | catawba.edu | mhc.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $32,868 | $36,557 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $32,868 | $36,557 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,576 | $10,004 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $19,701 | $17,721 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $26,913 | $28,916 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,199 | 1,597 | ||
| Admitted | 2,146 | 1,185 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 67.1% | 74.2% | ||
| Enrolled % | 13.9% | 21.5% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.64 | 3.5 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Moderate | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | Low | ||
| ACT Range | 18/27 | |||
| SAT Range | 1000/1210 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 11:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 54% | 38% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $42,000 | $32,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 60% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $25,000 | $27,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $258 | $279 |
Diversity |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 48% | 51% | ||
| % Women | 52% | 49% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 69% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 22% | ||
| % Hispanic | 5% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 1% | ||
| % International | 3% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 3% |
Students |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 61% | 54% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 34% | 36% | ||
Campus |
Catawba College | Mars Hill University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Catawba College is larger than than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,172 students vs. 1,032 students)
Catawba College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Catawba College or Mars Hill University?
- Mars Hill University is 11.2% more expensive to attend than Catawba College for in-state tuition ($36,557.00 vs. $32,868.00)
- Out of state tuition is 11.2% higher at Mars Hill University than Catawba College ($36,557.00 vs. $32,868.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mars Hill University than Catawba College ($17,721 vs. $19,701)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 15.7% lower than costs at Catawba College ($10,004 vs. $11,576)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Catawba College than Mars Hill University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 7.4% larger than aid received Catawba College ($28,916 vs. $26,913)
Catawba College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Catawba College or Mars Hill University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mars Hill University or Catawba College .
- The average SAT score at Catawba College (990) is 78 points higher than at Mars Hill University (912)
- Incoming Catawba College students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Mars Hill University (20)
- 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)
- Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Catawba College (67.1%)
Catawba College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Catawba College or Mars Hill University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mars Hill University and Catawba College.
- The graduation rate at Catawba College is higher than Mars Hill University (54% vs. 38%)
- Graduates from Catawba College earn on average $9,700 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates after ten years. ($42,000 vs. $32,300)
- Catawba College students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
- Catawba College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans 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/