DSC vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Dalton State College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

DSC vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC or Mars Hill University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dalton State College than Mars Hill University ($5,625 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 15% lower than at Mars Hill University ($10,419 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 1,031.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $34,400 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 254.1% higher at Mars Hill University than at Dalton State College (about $27,080 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Dalton State College (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 366.9% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($31,066 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC or Mars Hill University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mars Hill University and DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at DSC (3.1).

DSC vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC and Mars Hill University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Mars Hill University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Dalton State College earn a median of about $200 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,500 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $12,113 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($14,887 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($153 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.