McDaniel College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

McDaniel College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or Mars Hill University? 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 Mars Hill University than McDaniel College ($18,925 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 5.5% lower than at McDaniel College ($12,258 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 38% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $14,345 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38% higher at McDaniel College than at Mars Hill University (about $14,345 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 31.1% larger than aid received by Mars Hill University students ($40,721 vs. $31,066).

McDaniel College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Mars Hill University (3.5).
• McDaniel College has a higher acceptance rate (77.9%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

McDaniel College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $21,100 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University and McDaniel College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Mars Hill University and McDaniel College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.