Eastern vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Eastern 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: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Eastern vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Mars Hill University ($12,279 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 0.1% lower than at Eastern Kentucky University ($12,258 vs. $12,268).
• Mars Hill University is 265.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $27,416 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at Mars Hill University than at Eastern Kentucky University (about $16,506 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $21,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Eastern Kentucky University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 170.9% larger than aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students ($31,066 vs. $11,468).

Eastern vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Eastern (3.39).
• Eastern has a higher acceptance rate (77.6%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Eastern vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern 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).

• The graduation rate at Eastern is the same as at Mars Hill University (38% vs. 38%).
• Graduates from Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Kentucky University graduates have a $3,305 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($23,695 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Eastern graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 49%)

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.