ECU vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

East Carolina University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (26,940 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC (Small City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: East Carolina University 17:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

ECU vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECU 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 East Carolina University than Mars Hill University ($13,755 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 5.8% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,541 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 412.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $30,375 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $7,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.6% higher at Mars Hill University than at East Carolina University (about $14,098 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $23,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at East Carolina University (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 217.8% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($31,066 vs. $9,776).

ECU vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECU 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 ECU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECU - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at ECU vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

ECU vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECU 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).

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from East Carolina University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,900 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Carolina University graduates have a $2,212 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($24,788 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($256 vs. $279).
• More ECU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.