Russell Sage College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Russell Sage College in Troy, NY with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Russell Sage College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (2,790 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Russell Sage College is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Russell Sage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Russell Sage College 10:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Russell Sage College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Russell Sage 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 Russell Sage College ($18,925 vs. $21,046).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 12.7% lower than at Russell Sage College ($12,258 vs. $14,048).
• Russell Sage College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $428 more per year; $38,164.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Russell Sage College than at Mars Hill University (about $428 more per year; $38,164.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Russell Sage College as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 6% larger than aid received by Russell Sage College students ($31,066 vs. $29,295).

Russell Sage College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Russell Sage 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 Russell Sage College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Russell Sage College - Test-free; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Russell Sage College (3.3).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than Russell Sage College (53.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Russell Sage College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Russell Sage College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Russell Sage 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).

• Russell Sage College's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Russell Sage College earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,100 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Russell Sage College graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Russell Sage College graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($240 vs. $279).
• More Russell Sage College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.