AAC vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Art Academy of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than AAC based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 213 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Art Academy of Cincinnati is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Art Academy of Cincinnati is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Art Academy of Cincinnati 9:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

AAC vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAC or Mercyhurst University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mercyhurst University than AAC ($25,946 vs. $33,491).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Art Academy of Cincinnati are 26.7% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($10,660 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than AAC (about $4,395 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $41,375.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Art Academy of Cincinnati (about $4,395 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $41,375.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Art Academy of Cincinnati as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 74.5% larger than aid received by Art Academy of Cincinnati students ($33,949 vs. $19,460).

AAC vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAC or Mercyhurst University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mercyhurst University and AAC.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAC - Test optional; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: AAC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at AAC (3.1).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than AAC (34.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.4% at AAC vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

AAC vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAC and Mercyhurst University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Art Academy of Cincinnati's (44%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than AAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $30,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $302 lower median loan debt than AAC graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAC graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.