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Mars Hill University

Mars Hill, North Carolina

1,050 Students on Campus
Mars Hill Location
7,798 Metro Population
1,050 Students on Campus
Mars Hill Location
7,798 Metro Population

About This Campus

Mars Hill University is a private, four-year liberal arts institution located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Founded in 1856 by Baptist families of the region, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in Western North Carolina on its original site. Mars Hill University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Mars Hill University offers 36 majors with various concentrations and 34 minors for the traditional program. Various academic programs are also offered through Adult and Graduate studies which features non-traditional pathways to degree completion. Among those programs, some which may have special appeal for exchange students are: Zoology, Art, Health Sciences, Community and Nonprofit Leadership, Music, Interdisciplinary Studies, Theater Arts, and Appalachian Studies.

Personalized attention

Small, walkable campus

Home to Ramsey Center: Southern Appalachian Archives, Lunsford Festival

Helpful Information

MHU is eager to welcome NSE exchange students; chances of placement on our campus are excellent. Dr. Maria Moreno, campus NSE coordinator, is available to help you navigate registration and course selection. Off-campus housing is expensive and very limited. If you choose this option, you should plan to bring a car, as there is no public transportation in this rural area.

Location Information

Mars Hill University is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains of Western North Carolina. Everything on our gorgeous campus is within a 10-minute walk; a 25-minute drive can take you to a challenging hike on the Appalachian Trail or to an exotic restaurant in Asheville. Popular with tourists of all ages, our region is particularly coveted by nature lovers. An hour away is the town of Cherokee, home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/26/2025 - Fall End Date: 12/09/2025

Spring Start Date: 01/13/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/06/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Nursing Education Social Work

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Appalachian Studies — Interdisciplinary minor
  • Entrepreneurial Studies
  • Kinesiology
  • Zoology
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?Away
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? - F1 Visa

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/16/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $20114
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $125
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Comprehensive Student Fee
$125
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

The Comprehensive Student Fee is a consolidation of institutional fees to support parking, technology, health and wellness, and student activities ($250/year)

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/16/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? Yes
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 5
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $6503
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Food & Housing costs based on standard room, double occupancy, with air conditioning.

NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Due to the rural location of our campus, off-campus housing is expensive and hard to find. Students planning to live off-campus must bring a car, as there is no public transportation in the area.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $599.99
  • Campus Meal Plans
Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: