PSC vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Philander Smith University in Little Rock, AR 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 PSC based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 780 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Philander Smith University is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Philander Smith University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Philander Smith University 11:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

PSC vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC 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 Philander Smith University than Mars Hill University ($14,082 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Philander Smith University are 18.4% lower than at Mars Hill University ($10,000 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 190% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $24,722 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190% higher at Mars Hill University than at Philander Smith University (about $24,722 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $13,014.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Philander Smith University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 117.5% larger than aid received by Philander Smith University students ($31,066 vs. $14,283).

PSC vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC 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 PSC.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Not reported; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at PSC (3.04).

PSC vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC 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 Philander Smith University's (31%).
• Graduates from Mars Hill University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,300 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than PSC graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Mars Hill University graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PSC graduates ($279 vs. $320).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 35%)

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.