KWC vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, KY 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 KWC based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 887 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kentucky Wesleyan College is located in Owensboro, KY (Small City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kentucky Wesleyan College 15:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

KWC vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KWC 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 KWC ($18,925 vs. $20,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kentucky Wesleyan College are 3.3% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,855 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 8.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than KWC (about $3,063 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $34,673.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.8% higher at Mars Hill University than at Kentucky Wesleyan College (about $3,063 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $34,673.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Kentucky Wesleyan College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 21.6% larger than aid received by Kentucky Wesleyan College students ($31,066 vs. $25,538).

KWC vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KWC 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 KWC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kentucky Wesleyan College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KWC - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at KWC (3.3).
• KWC has a higher acceptance rate (71.6%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at KWC vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

KWC vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KWC 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).

• Kentucky Wesleyan College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates have a $4,093 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($22,907 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, KWC graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($236 vs. $279).
• More KWC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.