CCAD vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus, 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 CCAD based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbus College of Art & Design is located in Columbus, OH (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Columbus College of Art & Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbus College of Art & Design 10:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

CCAD vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCAD 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 CCAD ($25,946 vs. $31,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus College of Art & Design are 21.3% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($11,450 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CCAD (about $4,945 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $40,825.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.1% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Columbus College of Art & Design (about $4,945 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $40,825.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbus College of Art & Design as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 47.6% larger than aid received by Columbus College of Art & Design students ($33,949 vs. $23,000).

CCAD vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCAD 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 CCAD.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCAD - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than CCAD (67.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 32.1% at CCAD vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

CCAD vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCAD 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 Columbus College of Art & Design's (64%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than CCAD graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $302 lower median loan debt than CCAD graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCAD graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More CCAD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.