Cleveland State vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 2,632 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Cleveland State vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State 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 Cleveland State University than Mercyhurst University ($16,230 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 3.7% lower than at Cleveland State University ($14,540 vs. $15,104).
• Mercyhurst University is 252.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $32,782 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.3% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Cleveland State University (about $27,260 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 246.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($33,949 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State 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 State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Cleveland State vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State 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 State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $500 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,198 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($222 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 47%)

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.