Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,906 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College ($18,925 vs. $26,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gustavus Adolphus College are 3.7% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,804 vs. $12,258).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 48.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $18,340 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Mars Hill University (about $18,340 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 33.4% larger than aid received by Mars Hill University students ($41,450 vs. $31,066).

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mars Hill University (3.5).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Gustavus Adolphus College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Gustavus Adolphus 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).

• Gustavus Adolphus College's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University and Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Mars Hill University and Gustavus Adolphus College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.