Gordon vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Gordon State College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (3,179 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Gordon 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: Gordon State College 20:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Gordon vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gordon 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 Gordon State College than Mars Hill University ($7,807 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 14.8% lower than at Mars Hill University ($10,444 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 940.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $34,108 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 244.7% higher at Mars Hill University than at Gordon State College (about $26,788 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Gordon State College (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 380.7% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($31,066 vs. $6,462).

Gordon vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gordon 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 Gordon.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Gordon State College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gordon - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Gordon has a higher acceptance rate (85.9%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Gordon vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Gordon vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gordon 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).

• Graduates from Gordon State College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College graduates have a $9,500 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($17,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Gordon graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($180 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 26%)

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.