Mars Hill University vs Barton College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Barton College comes closer — median earnings $47,913 against a $94,504 total, vs $44,781 at Mars Hill University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mars Hill University | Barton College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,910 | $23,626 |
| Total net cost | $79,640 | $94,504 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,781 | $47,913 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $25,877 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$151,220 | -$103,444 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mars Hill University or Barton College?
Mars Hill University, at $19,910 a year after aid versus $23,626 — a gap of $3,716 a year, or $14,864 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mars Hill University or Barton College graduates earn more?
Barton College graduates report a median $47,913 ten years after entry, $3,132 more than the $44,781 at Mars Hill University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Mars Hill University or Barton College?
Barton College: its completers carry a median $25,877 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Mars Hill University, a difference of $123. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at Barton College, against 45% at Mars Hill University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.