Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland Institute of Music based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 293 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland Institute of Music is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland Institute of Music 6:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Music 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 Cleveland Institute of Music ($25,946 vs. $29,683).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 12.4% lower than at Cleveland Institute of Music ($14,540 vs. $16,600).
• Cleveland Institute of Music is 15.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercyhurst University (about $7,110 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Cleveland Institute of Music than at Mercyhurst University (about $7,110 more per year; $52,880.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Music as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 8.8% larger than aid received by Cleveland Institute of Music students ($33,949 vs. $31,191).

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland Institute of Music 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 Cleveland Institute of Music.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland Institute of Music - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland Institute of Music Dec 1, 2026.
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Cleveland Institute of Music (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.9% at Cleveland Institute of Music vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Cleveland Institute of Music vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland Institute of Music 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 Cleveland Institute of Music's (67%).
• Graduates from Cleveland Institute of Music earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $302 lower median loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland Institute of Music graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland Institute of Music graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.