CAU vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 1,110 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 3.8% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($12,258 vs. $12,748).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.3% higher at Mars Hill University than at Clark Atlanta University (about $9,426 more per year; $37,736 vs. $28,310).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 149.5% larger than aid received by Clark Atlanta University students ($31,066 vs. $12,453).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at CAU, test-free at Mars Hill University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Mars Hill University average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at CAU (3.28).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 30%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.