Mars Hill University vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Tennessee State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Mars Hill University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State University than Mars Hill University ($14,586 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 9% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,150 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 338% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tennessee State University (about $29,120 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at Mars Hill University than at Tennessee State University (about $15,320 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $22,416.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Tennessee State University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 221.6% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($31,066 vs. $9,661).

Mars Hill University vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Mars Hill University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mars Hill University and Tennessee State 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 Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from Tennessee State University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($27,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($279 vs. $289).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 29%)

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.