KY State vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Kentucky State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (2,020 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, KY (Distant Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kentucky 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: Kentucky State University 10:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

KY State vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KY State 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 Kentucky State University than Mars Hill University ($9,397 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky State University are 29.1% lower than at Mars Hill University ($8,686 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 302% more expensive for in-state tuition than KY State (about $28,349 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $9,387.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 176.3% higher at Mars Hill University than at Kentucky State University (about $24,078 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $13,658.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Kentucky State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 200.4% larger than aid received by Kentucky State University students ($31,066 vs. $10,340).

KY State vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KY State 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 KY State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KY State - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at KY State (2.72).
• KY State has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at KY State vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

KY State vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KY State 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).

• Mars Hill University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Kentucky State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Mars Hill University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than KY State graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,300 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than KY State graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,000).
• Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KY State graduates ($279 vs. $299).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KY State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 24%)

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.