Mars Hill University vs. WCU

Should I go to Mars Hill University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Mars Hill University or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

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

ECU ASU UNC Charlotte UNCW University of North Carolina at Asheville ETSU UNCG NC State UNC Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Pembroke BYU GS
Mars Hill University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Mars Hill University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Mars Hill University Western Carolina University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Mars Hill University WCU
Location Mars Hill, NC Cullowhee, NC
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 1,032 11,635
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mhc.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Mars Hill University WCU
Tuition (In State) $36,557 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $36,557 $5,000
Room & Board $10,004 $11,173
Avg Net Price $17,721 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $28,916 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Mars Hill University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,597 17,917
Admitted 1,185 15,201
Acceptance Rate 74.2% 84.8%
Enrolled % 21.5% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Mars Hill University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (22%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Human Services (7%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Mars Hill University WCU
Graduation Rate 38% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $32,300 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $279 $227

Diversity

Mars Hill University WCU
% Men 51% 41%
% Women 49% 59%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 68% 79%
% Black 22% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

Mars Hill University WCU
% In-State 54% 80%
% Out-of-State 36% 18%

Campus

Mars Hill University WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 1,032 students)

Mars Hill University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or WCU?

  • Mars Hill University is 3,555.7% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($36,557.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 631.1% higher at Mars Hill University than Western Carolina University ($36,557.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Mars Hill University ($13,022 vs. $17,721)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 11.7% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($10,004 vs. $11,173)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Mars Hill University as Western Carolina University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 538.9% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($28,916 vs. $4,526)

Mars Hill University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mars Hill University or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Mars Hill University .

  • The average SAT score at Western Carolina University (1032) is 120 points higher than at Mars Hill University (912)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Mars Hill University (20)
  • 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 (84.8%) than Mars Hill University (74.2%)

Mars Hill University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Mars Hill University or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Mars Hill University.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than Mars Hill University (50% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Western Carolina University earn on average $6,800 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates after ten years. ($39,100 vs. $32,300)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $4,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $27,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans 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/