VSU vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Valdosta State University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (10,262 students vs. 1,110 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valdosta State University is located in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Valdosta State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Valdosta State University 17:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 22.3% lower than at Mars Hill University ($9,530 vs. $12,258).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.6% higher at Mars Hill University than at Valdosta State University (about $19,900 more per year; $37,736 vs. $17,836).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Valdosta State University (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 204.4% larger than aid received by Valdosta State University students ($31,066 vs. $10,206).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are required at VSU, test-free at Mars Hill University.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU Jun 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Mars Hill University average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at VSU (3.23).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26% at VSU vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Valdosta State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, VSU 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 VSU students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 41%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.