WKU vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY with Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 1,110 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western 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: Western Kentucky University 19:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mars Hill University are 2.6% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,258 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.8% higher at Mars Hill University than at Western Kentucky University (about $10,736 more per year; $37,736 vs. $27,000).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mars Hill University than at Western Kentucky University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 184.5% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($31,066 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at WKU, test-free at Mars Hill University.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Mars Hill University average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at WKU (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.2% at WKU vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill University graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mars Hill University graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More Mars Hill University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation (53% vs. 47%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.