USW vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the Southwest is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,130 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, NM (Rural Fringe setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of the Southwest is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Southwest 21:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

USW vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USW 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 University of the Southwest than Mars Hill University ($17,243 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Southwest are 33.9% lower than at Mars Hill University ($8,100 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 126.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USW (about $21,066 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 126.4% higher at Mars Hill University than at University of the Southwest (about $21,066 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $16,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at University of the Southwest (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 197.7% larger than aid received by University of the Southwest students ($31,066 vs. $10,436).

USW vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USW 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 USW.

• University of the Southwest reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USW - Open admission; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.87 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at USW (2.63).

USW vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USW 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 University of the Southwest's (18%).
• Graduates from University of the Southwest earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,700 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Southwest graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USW graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($242 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USW students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 47%)

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.