Mars Hill University vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mars Hill University 11:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Mars Hill University vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mars Hill University or Mercyhurst 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 Mars Hill University than Mercyhurst University ($18,925 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 15.7% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,258 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $8,034 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Mars Hill University (about $8,034 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Mars Hill University students ($33,949 vs. $31,066).

Mars Hill University vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mars Hill University or Mercyhurst 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 Mercyhurst University and Mars Hill University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mars Hill University - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mars Hill University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Mercyhurst University (3.36).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at Mars Hill University vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Mars Hill University vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mars Hill University and Mercyhurst 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).

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $302 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.