Mars Hill University vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

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

Western Carolina University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Mars Hill University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or WCU? 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 Western Carolina University than Mars Hill University ($13,767 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 0.8% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,258 vs. $12,354).
• Mars Hill University is 715% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $33,106 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $4,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 337.3% higher at Mars Hill University than at Western Carolina University (about $29,106 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $8,630.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 418.4% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($31,066 vs. $5,993).

Mars Hill University vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Carolina University 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Carolina University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WCU (3.44).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (81.8%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Mars Hill University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Western Carolina University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($227 vs. $279).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.