Mars Hill University vs. WCU

Mars Hill University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Mars Hill University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Mars Hill University (67.9% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $18,925 at Mars Hill University.
  • Graduation: Mars Hill University 38% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Mars Hill University $32,300 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Mars Hill University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
Mars Hill University more selective
Mars Hill University67.9%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Mars Hill University-
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $5,158 less
Mars Hill University$18,925
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $33,106 less
Mars Hill University$37,736
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $29,106 less
Mars Hill University$37,736
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +12 pts
Mars Hill University38%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
WCU +$6,800
Mars Hill University$32,300
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Mars Hill University 1,642
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Mars Hill University 1,115
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Mars Hill University 67.9%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Mars Hill University 31.1%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Mars Hill University
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Mars Hill University
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Mars Hill University 3.5
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Mars Hill University A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Mars Hill University Unavailable
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Mars Hill University Low
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Mars Hill University
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Mars Hill University
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Mars Hill University Test-free
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Mars Hill University
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Mars Hill University $37,736
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Mars Hill University $37,736
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Mars Hill University $12,258
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Mars Hill University $18,925
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Mars Hill University $31,066
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Mars Hill University 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Mars Hill University 38%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Mars Hill University $32,300
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Mars Hill University 53%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Mars Hill University $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Mars Hill University $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Mars Hill University 11:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Mars Hill University
    • Business (25%)
    • Education (22%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Mars Hill University Rural Fringe
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Mars Hill University 1,110
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Mars Hill University Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Mars Hill University
  • WCU #698

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 tables 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.

Cost details

  • 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).
  • 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 vs. $8,630).
  • 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).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Mars Hill University, test optional at WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Mars Hill University average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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