Union Commonwealth University vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Union Commonwealth University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,324 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Union Commonwealth University is located in Barbourville, KY (Remote Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Union Commonwealth University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Union Commonwealth University 14:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Union Commonwealth University 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 Union Commonwealth University than Mars Hill University ($17,124 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Commonwealth University are 32.6% lower than at Mars Hill University ($8,261 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Union Commonwealth University (about $6,790 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at Mars Hill University than at Union Commonwealth University (about $6,790 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $30,946.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Union Commonwealth University as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Union Commonwealth University students ($31,066 vs. $26,961).

Union Commonwealth University vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Union Commonwealth University 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 Union Commonwealth University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 920/1105.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Union Commonwealth University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Union Commonwealth University - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Union Commonwealth University (3.15).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than Union Commonwealth University (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Union Commonwealth University vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Union Commonwealth University vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Union Commonwealth University 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 Union Commonwealth University's (32%).
• Graduates from Union Commonwealth University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,800 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Union Commonwealth University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Union Commonwealth University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 42%)

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.