Mars Hill University vs. Shaw University

Deciding between Mars Hill University and Shaw University? 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
Shaw University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC
  • Shaw University Raleigh, NC
  • Setting
  • Mars Hill University Rural Fringe
  • Shaw University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Mars Hill University 1,110
  • Shaw University 964
  • Type
  • Mars Hill University Private 4 Year
  • Shaw University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Mars Hill University
  • Shaw University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Mars Hill University -
  • Shaw University Baptist
  • Status
  • Mars Hill University Non-profit
  • Shaw University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Mars Hill University
  • Shaw University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Mars Hill University $37,736
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Mars Hill University $37,736
  • Shaw University $17,538
  • Room & Board
  • Mars Hill University $12,258
  • Shaw University $9,210
  • Average Net Price
  • Mars Hill University $18,925
  • Shaw University $16,445
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Mars Hill University $31,066
  • Shaw University $14,417
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Mars Hill University 100%
  • Shaw University 97%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Mars Hill University 1,642
  • Shaw University 7,390
  • Admitted
  • Mars Hill University 1,115
  • Shaw University 5,924
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Mars Hill University 67.9%
  • Shaw University 80.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Mars Hill University 31.1%
  • Shaw University 4.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mars Hill University
  • Shaw University
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mars Hill University
  • Shaw University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Mars Hill University 3.5
  • Shaw University 2.6
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Mars Hill University A-
  • Shaw University B-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Mars Hill University Unavailable
  • Shaw University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • Mars Hill University Low
  • Shaw University
  • ACT Range
  • Mars Hill University
  • Shaw University
  • SAT Range
  • Mars Hill University
  • Shaw University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Mars Hill University Test-free
  • Shaw University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Mars Hill University
  • Shaw University Jul 30, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Mars Hill University 11:1
  • Shaw University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Mars Hill University
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (22%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Shaw University
    • Business (27%)
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Mars Hill University 38%
  • Shaw University 27%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Mars Hill University $32,300
  • Shaw University $29,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Mars Hill University 53%
  • Shaw University 15%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Mars Hill University $27,000
  • Shaw University $38,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Mars Hill University $279
  • Shaw University $392
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Mars Hill University 50%
  • Shaw University 47%
  • % Women
  • Mars Hill University 50%
  • Shaw University 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Mars Hill University Medium
  • Shaw University Extremely Low
  • HBCU
  • Mars Hill University No
  • Shaw University Yes
  • % White
  • Mars Hill University 68%
  • Shaw University 1%
  • % Asian
  • Mars Hill University 1%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Black
  • Mars Hill University 22%
  • Shaw University 58%
  • % Hispanic
  • Mars Hill University 3%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Native American
  • Mars Hill University 1%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Mars Hill University 0%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Mars Hill University 1%
  • Shaw University 0%
  • % International
  • Mars Hill University 0%
  • Shaw University 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Mars Hill University 3%
  • Shaw University 39%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Mars Hill University 51%
  • Shaw University 51%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Mars Hill University 41%
  • Shaw University 42%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Mars Hill University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
  • Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Shaw University 14:1.

Mars Hill University vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or Shaw 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 Shaw University than Mars Hill University ($16,445 vs. $18,925).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 24.9% lower than at Mars Hill University ($9,210 vs. $12,258).
  • Mars Hill University is 115.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $20,198 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $17,538.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 115.2% higher at Mars Hill University than at Shaw University (about $20,198 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $17,538.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Shaw University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 115.5% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($31,066 vs. $14,417).

Mars Hill University vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

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

  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; Shaw University - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
  • Shaw University has a higher acceptance rate (80.2%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Mars Hill University vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mars Hill University and Shaw 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 Shaw University's (27%).
  • Graduates from Mars Hill University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,300 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($27,000 vs. $38,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($279 vs. $392).
  • More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 15%)

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.