Hampshire College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Hampshire College in Amherst, 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 Hampshire College based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hampshire College is located in Amherst, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hampshire College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hampshire College 13:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Hampshire College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hampshire 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 Hampshire College ($18,925 vs. $27,895).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 23.2% lower than at Hampshire College ($12,258 vs. $15,958).
• Hampshire College is 56.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $21,160 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.1% higher at Hampshire College than at Mars Hill University (about $21,160 more per year; $58,896.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Hampshire College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hampshire College students is 48.5% larger than aid received by Mars Hill University students ($46,145 vs. $31,066).

Hampshire College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hampshire College - Test-free; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Hampshire College Jan 15, 2027.
• Hampshire College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.4% at Hampshire College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Hampshire College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hampshire 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).

• Hampshire College's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Hampshire College earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have a $3,469 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($23,531 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Hampshire College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($243 vs. $279).
• More Hampshire College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.