Mars Hill University vs. Centra College

Deciding between Mars Hill University and Centra College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Mars Hill University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC
  • Centra College Lynchburg, VA
  • Setting
  • Mars Hill University Rural Fringe
  • Centra College Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mars Hill University 1,110
  • Centra College 219
  • Type
  • Mars Hill University Private 4 Year
  • Centra College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Mars Hill University
  • Centra College
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Mars Hill University -
  • Centra College -
  • Status
  • Mars Hill University Non-profit
  • Centra College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Mars Hill University
  • Centra College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Mars Hill University $37,736
  • Centra College $12,983
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Mars Hill University $37,736
  • Centra College $12,983
  • Room & Board
  • Mars Hill University $12,258
  • Centra College $12,424
  • Average Net Price
  • Mars Hill University $18,925
  • Centra College -
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Mars Hill University $31,066
  • Centra College $0
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Mars Hill University 100%
  • Centra College 0%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Mars Hill University 1,642
  • Centra College 2
  • Admitted
  • Mars Hill University 1,115
  • Centra College 2
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Mars Hill University 67.9%
  • Centra College 100%
  • Enrolled
  • Mars Hill University 31.1%
  • Centra College 0%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mars Hill University
  • Centra College
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mars Hill University
  • Centra College
  • Average High School GPA
  • Mars Hill University 3.5
  • Centra College -
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Mars Hill University A-
  • Centra College -
  • Admissions Standards
  • Mars Hill University Unavailable
  • Centra College Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • Mars Hill University Low
  • Centra College
  • ACT Range
  • Mars Hill University
  • Centra College
  • SAT Range
  • Mars Hill University
  • Centra College
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Mars Hill University Test-free
  • Centra College Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Mars Hill University
  • Centra College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Mars Hill University 11:1
  • Centra College 3:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Mars Hill University
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (22%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Centra College
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Mars Hill University 38%
  • Centra College -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Mars Hill University $32,300
  • Centra College $44,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Mars Hill University 53%
  • Centra College 66%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Mars Hill University $27,000
  • Centra College $12,042
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Mars Hill University $279
  • Centra College $124
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Mars Hill University 50%
  • Centra College 9%
  • % Women
  • Mars Hill University 50%
  • Centra College 91%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Mars Hill University Medium
  • Centra College Very High
  • HBCU
  • Mars Hill University No
  • Centra College No
  • % White
  • Mars Hill University 68%
  • Centra College 65%
  • % Asian
  • Mars Hill University 1%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Black
  • Mars Hill University 22%
  • Centra College 35%
  • % Hispanic
  • Mars Hill University 3%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Native American
  • Mars Hill University 1%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Mars Hill University 0%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Mars Hill University 1%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % International
  • Mars Hill University 0%
  • Centra College 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Mars Hill University 3%
  • Centra College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Mars Hill University 51%
  • Centra College 100%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Mars Hill University 41%
  • Centra College 0%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Mars Hill University Yes
  • Centra College No
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Mars Hill University No
  • Centra College
  • Meal Plan
  • Mars Hill University Yes
  • Centra College No
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Mars Hill University Yes
  • Centra College No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Mars Hill University No
  • Centra College

Comparable Facts

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

Mars Hill University is larger than Centra College based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 219 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Centra College is in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting).
  • Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centra College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Centra College 3:1.

Mars Hill University vs. Centra College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or Centra College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 1.3% lower than at Centra College ($12,258 vs. $12,424).
  • Mars Hill University is 190.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centra College (about $24,753 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $12,983.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 190.7% higher at Mars Hill University than at Centra College (about $24,753 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $12,983.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Centra College (100% vs. 0%).

Mars Hill University vs. Centra College Admissions comparison

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

  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; Centra College - Test-free.
  • Centra College has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 0% at Centra College.

Mars Hill University vs. Centra College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Graduates from Centra College earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Centra College graduates have a $14,958 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($12,042 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Centra College graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($124 vs. $279).
  • More Centra College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.