Mars Hill University vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (5,605 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mars Hill University vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or VSU? 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 Virginia State University than Mars Hill University ($17,840 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 8.2% lower than at Virginia State University ($12,258 vs. $13,355).
• Mars Hill University is 275.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $27,693 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.6% higher at Mars Hill University than at Virginia State University (about $15,086 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $22,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Virginia State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 149.6% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($31,066 vs. $12,447).

Mars Hill University vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Mars Hill University vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Virginia State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Virginia State University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($279 vs. $305).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 28%)

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.