Paine College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mars Hill University is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Paine College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine 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 Paine College than Mars Hill University ($15,935 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 38.7% lower than at Mars Hill University ($7,512 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 158.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $23,140 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 158.5% higher at Mars Hill University than at Paine College (about $23,140 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paine College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 155.8% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($31,066 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paine 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 Paine College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Paine College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine 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).

• Mars Hill University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Mars Hill University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,300 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($27,000 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($279 vs. $369).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 15%)

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.