Clayton State University vs. Mars Hill University

Should I go to Clayton State University or Mars Hill University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or Mars Hill University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clayton State University vs. Mars Hill University comparison
Clayton State University Mars Hill University College 3 College 4
Clayton  State University Mars Hill University
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Overview

Clayton State University Mars Hill University
Location Morrow, GA Mars Hill, NC
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,847 1,032
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #988
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu mhc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University Mars Hill University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $36,557
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $36,557
Room & Board $10,980 $10,004
Avg Net Price $9,792 $17,721
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $28,916
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Clayton State University Mars Hill University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 1,597
Admitted 1,270 1,185
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 74.2%
Enrolled % 45.6% 21.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 17, 2025

Academics

Clayton State University Mars Hill University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University Mars Hill University
Graduation Rate 27% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $32,300
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $284 $279

Diversity

Clayton State University Mars Hill University
% Men 31% 51%
% Women 69% 49%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 18% 68%
% Black 66% 22%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

Clayton State University Mars Hill University
% In-State 93% 54%
% Out-of-State 4% 36%

Campus

Clayton State University 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

  • Clayton State University is larger than than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (5,847 students vs. 1,032 students)

Clayton State University vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Mars Hill University?

  • Mars Hill University is 799.5% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($36,557.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 147.2% higher at Mars Hill University than Clayton State University ($36,557.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than Mars Hill University ($9,792 vs. $17,721)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 9.8% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($10,004 vs. $10,980)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University as Mars Hill University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 239% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($28,916 vs. $8,529)

Clayton State University vs. Mars Hill University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University 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 Clayton State University .

  • Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)
  • Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (74.2%) than Clayton State University (56.3%)

Clayton State University vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clayton State University 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 Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at Mars Hill University is higher than Clayton State University (38% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $9,500 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $32,300)
  • Mars Hill University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $27,500)
  • Mars Hill University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($279 vs. $284)
  • More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/