Mars Hill University vs. Sterling College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC with Sterling College in Craftsbury Common, VT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mars Hill University is larger than Sterling College based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 57 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Sterling College is in Craftsbury Common, VT (Remote Rural setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Sterling College 7:1.

Mars Hill University vs. Sterling College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or Sterling College? 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 Sterling College ($18,925 vs. $21,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 10.7% lower than at Mars Hill University ($10,950 vs. $12,258).
• Sterling College is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $3,024 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Sterling College than at Mars Hill University (about $3,024 more per year; $40,760.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University as at Sterling College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Mars Hill University students ($32,556 vs. $31,066).

Mars Hill University vs. Sterling College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; Sterling College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Sterling College (3.1).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than Sterling College (66.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 10.9% at Sterling College.

Mars Hill University vs. Sterling College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mars Hill University and Sterling 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).

• Sterling College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sterling College graduates have a $9,965 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($17,035 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sterling College graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($176 vs. $279).
• More Sterling College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.