Columbus State vs. Mars Hill University

Should I go to Columbus State University or Mars Hill University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State 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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Columbus State University vs. Mars Hill University comparison
Columbus State University Mars Hill University College 3 College 4
Columbus State University Mars Hill University
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Overview

Columbus State Mars Hill University
Location Columbus, GA Mars Hill, NC
Setting Midsize City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 7,479 1,032
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #995
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu mhc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Mars Hill University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $36,557
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $36,557
Room & Board $12,080 $10,004
Avg Net Price $12,902 $17,721
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $28,916
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Columbus State Mars Hill University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 1,597
Admitted 3,398 1,185
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 74.2%
Enrolled % 30.4% 21.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/23
SAT Range 900/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Mars Hill University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Mars Hill University
Graduation Rate 31% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $32,300
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $268 $279

Diversity

Columbus State Mars Hill University
% Men 40% 51%
% Women 60% 49%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 51% 68%
% Black 37% 22%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Columbus State Mars Hill University
% In-State 92% 54%
% Out-of-State 5% 36%

Campus

Columbus State Mars Hill University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 1,032 students)

Columbus State vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

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

  • Mars Hill University is 736.4% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($36,557.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 137% higher at Mars Hill University than Columbus State University ($36,557.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Mars Hill University ($12,902 vs. $17,721)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 20.8% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,004 vs. $12,080)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Mars Hill University than Columbus State University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 216.1% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($28,916 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. Mars Hill University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State 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 Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Columbus State University (961) is 49 points higher than at Mars Hill University (912)
  • Incoming Columbus State students have at the same average ACT score (20) as students at Mars Hill University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Columbus State has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Mars Hill University (74.2%)

Columbus State vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State 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 Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Mars Hill University is higher than Columbus State University (38% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Columbus State University earn on average $5,100 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates after ten years. ($37,400 vs. $32,300)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Mars Hill University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 37%)

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