Dean College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mars Hill University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Dean College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College 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 Mars Hill University than Dean College ($18,925 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 38.3% lower than at Dean College ($12,258 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 23.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $8,790 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at Dean College than at Mars Hill University (about $8,790 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dean College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dean College students is 6.1% larger than aid received by Mars Hill University students ($32,958 vs. $31,066).

Dean College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College 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 Dean College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.62 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Dean College has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Dean College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College 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).

• Dean College's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Dean College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $10,647 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($16,353 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($169 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 53%)

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.