College of Saint Mary vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mars Hill University is larger than College of Saint Mary based on total student enrollment (1,110 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of Saint Mary is located in Omaha, NE (Large City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• College of Saint Mary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Saint Mary 8:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

College of Saint Mary vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, College of Saint Mary 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 College of Saint Mary than Mars Hill University ($17,078 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Saint Mary are 25.9% lower than at Mars Hill University ($9,084 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 54% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of Saint Mary (about $13,226 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at Mars Hill University than at College of Saint Mary (about $13,226 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $24,510.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Mary as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 64.8% larger than aid received by College of Saint Mary students ($31,066 vs. $18,847).

College of Saint Mary vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, College of Saint Mary or Mars Hill University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mars Hill University and College of Saint Mary.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: College of Saint Mary - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at College of Saint Mary (3.4).
• Mars Hill University has a higher acceptance rate (67.9%) than College of Saint Mary (44.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.3% at College of Saint Mary vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

College of Saint Mary vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for College of Saint Mary and Mars Hill University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Mars Hill University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than College of Saint Mary's (30%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Mary earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,300 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of Saint Mary graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More College of Saint Mary graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 53%)

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.