Spalding vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spalding University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,553 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spalding University is located in Louisville, KY (Large City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Spalding University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spalding University 9:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Spalding vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding 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 Spalding ($18,925 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 20.8% lower than at Mars Hill University ($9,710 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 29.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spalding (about $8,536 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at Mars Hill University than at Spalding University (about $8,536 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $29,200.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 59.9% larger than aid received by Spalding University students ($31,066 vs. $19,429).

Spalding vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spalding 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 Spalding.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 875/1038.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spalding - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Mars Hill University (3.5).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Spalding vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding 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).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spalding University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Spalding graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

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.