Mars Hill University vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Mars Hill University vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University than Mars Hill University ($12,989 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 6.3% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,484 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 516% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $31,610 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 124.9% higher at Mars Hill University than at Winston Salem State University (about $20,954 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 208.9% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($31,066 vs. $10,057).

Mars Hill University vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Mars Hill University vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Winston Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winston Salem State University graduates have a $1,337 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($25,663 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WSSU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($265 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 33%)

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.