WKU vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

WKU vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WKU 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 Western Kentucky University than Mars Hill University ($12,548 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 2.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,258 vs. $12,582).
• Mars Hill University is 223.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WKU (about $26,084 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $11,652.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.8% higher at Mars Hill University than at Western Kentucky University (about $10,736 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $27,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 184.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($31,066 vs. $10,921).

WKU vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WKU 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 WKU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WKU - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at WKU (3.42).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

WKU vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WKU 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).

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU 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.