ECSU vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Elizabeth City State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (2,258 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elizabeth City State University is located in Elizabeth City, NC (Distant Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Elizabeth City 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: Elizabeth City State University 19:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

ECSU vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECSU 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 Elizabeth City State University than Mars Hill University ($6,483 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elizabeth City State University are 2.2% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,986 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 477.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECSU (about $31,200 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $6,536.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 258.2% higher at Mars Hill University than at Elizabeth City State University (about $27,200 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $10,536.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Elizabeth City State University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 189.5% larger than aid received by Elizabeth City State University students ($31,066 vs. $10,732).

ECSU vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECSU 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 ECSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 920/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elizabeth City State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECSU - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: ECSU Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at ECSU (3.16).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than ECSU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at ECSU vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

ECSU vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECSU 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).

• Elizabeth City State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Mars Hill University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than ECSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,300 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elizabeth City State University graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($26,125 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ECSU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($270 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 23%)

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.