Defiance College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Defiance College in Defiance, 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 Defiance College based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Defiance College is located in Defiance, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Defiance College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Defiance College 11:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Defiance College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Defiance College 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 Defiance College ($25,946 vs. $26,298).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Defiance College are 13.3% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,606 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 56.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Defiance College (about $16,450 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.1% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Defiance College (about $16,450 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $29,320.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Defiance College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 25.6% larger than aid received by Defiance College students ($33,949 vs. $27,024).

Defiance College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Defiance College 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 Defiance College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Defiance College 860/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Defiance College 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Defiance College - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Defiance College (3.12).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Defiance College (47.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.6% at Defiance College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Defiance College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Defiance College 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 Defiance College's (51%).
• Graduates of Defiance College and Mercyhurst University have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $43,700), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $302 lower median loan debt than Defiance College graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Defiance College graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Defiance College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.