Mars Hill University
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. financial aid brings net price below sticker.
About This School
Mars Hill University is a private nonprofit institution located in Mars Hill, North Carolina with approximately 1,044 undergraduate students enrolled. Mars Hill University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 68%. The average net price after financial aid is $19,910 per year. The graduation rate is 45%, and the typical graduate earns $33,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
Mars Hill University is a private Christian liberal arts university in Mars Hill, North Carolina, United States. The university offers 35 undergraduate majors and includes a school of nursing and graduate schools in education, criminal justice, and management. From 1859 to 2013 the school was called Mars Hill College; in August 2013 it officially changed its name to Mars Hill University.
The numbers tell a mixed story here — a 42% graduation rate and 61% freshman retention rate suggest that a significant portion of students don't finish, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. On the upside, the average net price of $20,313/year and relatively low median debt of $18,172 keep costs manageable, and the small Christian liberal arts environment in the NC mountains suits students who want a tight-knit campus with programs like nursing and education. That said, median earnings of $33,800 a decade out are modest, so this is worth considering mainly if the specific programs, faith-based community, or financial aid package make it the right personal fit — not for a generic college experience.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 12% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 30 | $57,743 | $68,257 | −$10,514 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 19 | $41,384 | $55,378 | −$13,994 |
| Social Work | 19 | $51,053 | $51,790 | −$737 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9 | $74,707 | $88,910 | −$14,203 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6 | $47,176 | $47,382 | −$206 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,044 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in North Carolina
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North Carolina Wesleyan University
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See How Colleges Compare
Mars Hill University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Mars Hill University?
Mars Hill University has an acceptance rate of 68%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Mars Hill University hard to get into?
Mars Hill University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 68%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Mars Hill University cost?
The average net price at Mars Hill University is about $19,910 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Mars Hill University?
Mars Hill University has a graduation rate of 45%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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