CCS vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than CCS based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,433 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College for Creative Studies is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• College for Creative Studies is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College for Creative Studies 10:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

CCS vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCS 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 CCS ($25,946 vs. $36,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 4.8% lower than at College for Creative Studies ($14,540 vs. $15,272).
• College for Creative Studies is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercyhurst University (about $7,580 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at CCS than at Mercyhurst University (about $7,580 more per year; $53,350.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at College for Creative Studies (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 12.8% larger than aid received by College for Creative Studies students ($33,949 vs. $30,108).

CCS vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCS 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 CCS.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCS - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at CCS (3.19).
• CCS has a higher acceptance rate (91.9%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.9% at CCS vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

CCS vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCS 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 College for Creative Studies's (57%).
• Graduates from College for Creative Studies earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 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 CCS graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCS graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More CCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.