Admit rate has ranged 63%–80% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Mars Hill University, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, is a small liberal arts college with a 68% acceptance rate and a tight-knit, nature-loving student body. Known for its strong programs in business, zoology, and nursing, MHU offers a cozy, hilly campus where Greek life thrives and 98% of students receive financial aid. Graduation rates hover around 39%, but the school punches above its weight with personalized attention and interdisciplinary minors like Community Leadership and Environmental Studies.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,044
In-state tuition
$37,736
Out-of-state tuition
$37,736
Location
Appalachian Mountains, near Asheville, NC
Greek Life
Strong presence
Popular Majors
Business, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Acceptance Rate
68%
6-Year Graduation Rate
39%
Avg. Financial Aid Package
$29,654
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$44,781
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
Graduation rate
45%
First-year retention
69%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
49%
Pell (lower-income) share
69%
First-generation share
34%
Endowment / student
$58,249
Financial health
2.4 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Special Education and Teaching$38,289
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$36,437
Social Work$33,726
Business Administration, Management and Operations$32,391
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$29,685
Biology, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
126
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
33°F
Annual rain
43"
Annual snow
8.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Very Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
35
Scholarly works
236
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.4%
Bottom → top quintile
12%
From bottom quintile
12%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Mars Hill University?
Mars Hill University's acceptance rate is approximately 68% (Mars Hill, NC), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Mars Hill University cost?
At Mars Hill University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,910 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Mars Hill University?
Mars Hill University enrolls approximately 1,044 undergraduate students.
Where is Mars Hill University located?
Mars Hill University is located in Mars Hill, NC.
Admissions
Mars Hill University is somewhat selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 68% (per CollegeData and US News) to 77.88% (per BigFuture), depending on the source. The school is test-optional, allowing applicants to choose whether to submit SAT (code: 5395) or ACT (code: 3124) scores. Recent data shows 1,115 admissions from 1,642 applications in 2024, with undergraduate enrollment historically steady at 1,000-1,200 students. The admissions process emphasizes accessibility, with no reported 'entrance difficulty' metrics.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$26,739
Psychology, General$25,194
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
MHU offers 30+ liberal arts programs, with standout majors in Business (46 graduates in recent data), Criminal Justice (20 graduates), and Psychology (18 graduates). The university is expanding its catalog, adding Interdisciplinary Studies and Community and Regional Studies majors in fall 2024, alongside minors like Environmental Studies and Women and Gender Studies. Unique offerings include Zoology and Biochemistry, with smaller class sizes typical of a tight-knit Appalachian campus. The National Student Exchange program allows undergrads to study at partner institutions in fields from Art History to Biomedical Science.
Life at MHU revolves around its hilly, nature-rich campus near Asheville, described by Niche as a 'cozy and relaxed atmosphere'—though the terrain demands sturdy shoes. Greek life has a 'long, rich relationship' with the university, providing a robust social scene. With 1,002 undergraduates (51.4% male, 48.6% female in fall 2023), the school fosters intimacy through clubs, volunteer opportunities, and DII athletics (the Lions compete in the South Atlantic Conference). Instagram posts highlight mountain vistas and the hashtag #RollHill, while the university’s marketing leans into its Appalachian roots and stories of students 'moving mountains.'
MHU’s 6-year graduation rate is 39% (per US News), with historical data showing fluctuations between 32-38%. Alumni earnings are modest: $34,519 one year post-graduation and $44,276 after five years (Niche), though the College Scorecard reports a median of $50,256—below the national midpoint for 4-year colleges ($60,377). Outcomes vary by major; Social Work graduates earn ~$31,048, while some fields approach $58,645. The university transparently tracks progress, noting its graduation rate ranked in the 30th-40th percentiles in recent cohorts.
MHU’s net price averages $19,842 after aid (BigFuture), with 98% of first-years receiving grants or scholarships. The average financial aid package is $29,654, though Peterson’s reports higher averages for freshmen ($34,140) and international students ($32,957). The university emphasizes affordability, offering a Net Price Calculator to estimate costs and touting that most students receive aid. Sticker price is softened by institutional support, but the College Scorecard notes the average annual cost ($19,910) remains a consideration for families.
Mars Hill carves a niche as an Appalachian liberal arts college with surprising programmatic depth—think Zoology labs surrounded by mountain trails. Its 68% acceptance rate and test-optional policy make it accessible, while small cohorts (1,002 undergrads) ensure personalized attention. The campus vibe is unpretentious and outdoorsy, with Greek life adding social texture. Though graduation rates lag, MHU invests heavily in aid (98% of students receive grants), and its new interdisciplinary majors signal adaptability. For students seeking a tight community near Asheville’s cultural hub, MHU offers a scrappy, scenic alternative to pricier peers.
Mars Hill University logo · sourceMars Hill University Prepares To Open Fall 2021 Semester - Mars Hill University · sourceMars Hill University - Mars Hill, NC | Appily · sourceMars Hill University Jumps Ten Spots in Latest U.S. News Ranking - Mars Hill University · source
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