Mars Hill University vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

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

Fairmont State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Mars Hill University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State University than Mars Hill University ($11,328 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 4.9% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,656 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 333.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $29,028 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.4% higher at Mars Hill University than at Fairmont State University (about $18,812 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 263.3% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($31,066 vs. $8,552).

Mars Hill University vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Mars Hill University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mars Hill University and Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Fairmont State University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,600 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($22,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 43%)

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.