Mars Hill University is a private, four-year liberal arts institution nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. Founded in 1856 by Baptist families, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in western North Carolina still on its original site. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mars Hill University is set in one of the most beautiful areas of the United States. The town of Mars Hill, which takes its name from the university, has a population of about 2,200. The campus is approximately 25 minutes north of Asheville, NC, and about 45 minutes southwest of Johnson City, TN.