Mars Hill University vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Columbia College is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,725 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Columbia College 12:1.

Mars Hill University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College than Mars Hill University ($18,790 vs. $18,925).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 23.4% lower than at Mars Hill University ($9,390 vs. $12,258).
• Mars Hill University is 69.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $15,522 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.9% higher at Mars Hill University than at Columbia College (about $15,522 more per year; $37,736.00 vs. $22,214.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 88.8% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($31,066 vs. $16,451).

Mars Hill University vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mars Hill University or Columbia College? 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 Columbia College and Mars Hill University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Mars Hill University (3.5).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

Mars Hill University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mars Hill University and Columbia College? 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).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Columbia College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $1,736 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($25,264 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($261 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 43%)

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.