Mars Hill University
- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,781 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $19,910 C-
- 16% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 68% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,119,698.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 43% — 24% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $15.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Mars Hill University Matters
Mars Hill University is a private college in Mars Hill, NC and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 1,044
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Mars Hill University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 68% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,910 a year after grants and scholarships — 16% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,781 ten years after enrolling — 10% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 55% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.15 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,044 students, Mars Hill University is a good fit for those seeking a close-knit community and a range of study options, particularly in areas like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Psychology. A 68% acceptance rate means it’s accessible for many, while the school’s focus on personalized education helps foster a supportive environment for students who thrive with more individualized attention.
Life after graduation looks promising, with a 10-year earnings average of $44,781. That’s a solid figure for recent graduates, especially considering the affordability of a degree here. Many students benefit from the financial support offered, with nearly half receiving Pell Grants. This financial aid can ease the burden of tuition, making the prospect of a degree less daunting and opening doors to job opportunities post-graduation.
When we consider the practical aspects, the net price after aid stands at $19,910, which is manageable compared to many private institutions. Graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is relatively typical. Students who tend to do well here are those looking for an intimate educational setting, with a willingness to engage in their studies and the campus community. That connection can be key to both academic success and personal growth during their college years.
Rankings
- #23 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina
- #30 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #33 Best Business Colleges in North Carolina
- #37 Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina
- #38 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
- #40 Best Psychology Colleges in North Carolina
- #42 Best Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina
- #42 Best Master's Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Mars Hill University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mars Hill University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Mars Hill, North Carolina, Mars Hill University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 62%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,935
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 1,597
- Admitted
- 1,185
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mars Hill University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mars Hill University is $37,736, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,910. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,021 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,736
- Out-of-State
- $37,736
- Avg Net Price
- $19,910
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 62%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,021
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,020
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,628
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,972
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Mars Hill University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Mars Hill University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mars Hill University report median earnings of $44,781, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,680
- 8 Years
- $41,050
- 10 Years
- $44,781
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (100)
- 25%
- 100% (100)
- 25%
- 100% (100)
- 25%
- 100% (100)
- 25%
How Mars Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Mars Hill University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mars Hill University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,910/year ($79,640 total). Graduates earn $44,781 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,199,338 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,119,698 (15.1× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $79,640
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,199,338
- Net Return
- $1,119,698
- ROI Multiple
- 15.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,910
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Mars Hill University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mars Hill University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.37%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.37%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 11.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $99,046
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,894,772
- Investment Income
- $-1,729,343
Top Programs
The fields Mars Hill University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 24% $38,487 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $69,682 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 11% $31,771 early-career
- Criminal Justice 10% $30,698 early-career
- Psychology 7% $29,935 early-career
- Education 5% $45,495 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Social Sciences 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Mars Hill University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mars Hill University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Mars Hill, North Carolina, Mars Hill University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mars Hill University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mars Hill University is $37,736, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,910. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,021 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Mars Hill University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mars Hill University report median earnings of $44,781, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Mars Hill University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mars Hill University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.37%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Mars Hill University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mars Hill University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Mars Hill University.
- Reinhardt UniversityWaleska, GA · Close peer39% grad $46,541 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KY · Close peer49% grad $46,747 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC · Close peer45% grad $45,151 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- North Carolina Wesleyan UniversityRocky Mount, NC · Close peer41% grad $45,873 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Maryville CollegeMaryville, TN · Close peer49% grad $49,279 earn 61% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Close peer46% grad $50,074 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Mars Hill University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mars Hill University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.15, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note