Mars Hill University vs. AU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC with Averett University in Danville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Averett University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,476 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Averett University is in Danville, VA (Small City setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Averett University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Averett University 16:1.

Mars Hill University vs. AU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or AU? 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 AU ($18,925 vs. $23,471).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 15.6% lower than at Averett University ($12,258 vs. $14,530).
• Averett University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $814 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at AU than at Mars Hill University (about $814 more per year; $38,550.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Averett University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Averett University students ($31,066 vs. $29,998).

Mars Hill University vs. AU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mars Hill University or AU? 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 AU and Mars Hill University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAverett University 926/1143.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsAverett University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; AU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at AU (3.07).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than AU (56.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 18.1% at AU.

Mars Hill University vs. AU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mars Hill University and AU? 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).

• Averett University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Averett University earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Averett University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 51%)

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.