Columbus State vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Columbus State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (7,913 students vs. 1,110 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 4.4% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,720 vs. $12,258).
• Out-of-state tuition is 114.3% higher at Mars Hill University than at Columbus State University (about $20,126 more per year; $37,736 vs. $17,610).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Columbus State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 245.1% larger than aid received by Columbus State University students ($31,066 vs. $9,003).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Columbus State, test-free at Mars Hill University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Mars Hill University average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Columbus State (3.07).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at Columbus State vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbus State University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbus State graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.