Mars Hill College
Mars Hill College was founded in 1856 by Baptist families in western North Carolina. Its name was derived from a Greek word usually rendered as “Aeropagus” as mentioned in Acts 17:22. This term was interpreted by most scholars as referring to a small, rocky hill (pagos) named after the Greek god of war (Ares). The King James Version translates this to Mars Hill, Mars being the Latin name of Ares. The name was chosen because the Aeropagus was supposed to be where Paul engaged in reasoned arguments with the people of Athens.
In Paul’s arguments, he referred to Athens as a place which represented reason and to Jerusalem as a place which represented faith. The founders of Mars Hill College believe that its campus is where reason and faith meet. The learning environment and educational programs offered by the college allows for sharpening of reason as well as affirmation of faith. From the time the school first opened its doors as the French Broad Baptist Institute and was chartered as the Mars Hill College in 1859 by the North Carolina General Assembly, it worked to expand and improve its facilities and revise its curriculum to maintain the high standards of education it has required on itself.
Specifically located at 100 Athletic Street, Mars Hill, North Carolina, Mars Hill College occupies a 194-acre campus in the heart of a town which also bears its name, in Madison County. The liberal arts curriculum of the college has three main parts: the Liberal Arts in Action (LAA) Commons which address central human questions, the Major which provides the depth in the chosen field of study, and the LAA Connectors plus Electives which provide breadth of study. Programs are offered through the college’s various departments comprised of Art, Business Administration, Education, English, Fashion and Interior Merchandising, Health/Physical Education and Recreation, History, International Studies, Mathematics and Computer Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Natural Sciences, Political Science, Psychology, Regional Studies, Religion and Philosophy, Social Work, Sociology, Theater and Women’s Studies.
The average class size is 22 while the student/faculty ratio is 16:1. Full-time tuition per semester is $ 9,435.00 while part-time tuition costs $ 690.00 per credit. Average room and board costs $ 7,992.00 per year.
For more information about admissions, financial aid or online learning opportunities such as distance education degree programs or online classes, please contact Mars Hill College.
