Art Center College of Design vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Art Center College of Design based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 2,308 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Art Center College of Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Art Center College of Design 9:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Art Center College of Design vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Art Center College of Design 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 Art Center College of Design ($25,946 vs. $53,271).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 25.9% lower than at Art Center College of Design ($14,540 vs. $19,632).
• Art Center College of Design is 18.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercyhurst University (about $8,400 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at Art Center College of Design than at Mercyhurst University (about $8,400 more per year; $54,170.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Art Center College of Design (100% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 51.5% larger than aid received by Art Center College of Design students ($33,949 vs. $22,412).

Art Center College of Design vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Art Center College of Design 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 Art Center College of Design.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Art Center College of Design - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Art Center College of Design (74.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Art Center College of Design vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Art Center College of Design vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Art Center College of Design 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 Center College of Design's (54%).
• Graduates from Art Center College of Design earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,300 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $4,552 lower median loan debt than Art Center College of Design graduates ($26,698 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Art Center College of Design graduates ($276 vs. $323).
• More Art Center College of Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 56%)

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.