Fitchburg State vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy University is larger than Fitchburg State based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 5,892 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; Mercy University 16:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Mercy? 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 Mercy University than Fitchburg State ($15,200 vs. $15,340).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 1.3% lower than at Fitchburg State University ($15,250 vs. $15,452).
• Mercy University is 101.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $11,534 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at Mercy than at Fitchburg State University (about $5,454 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Fitchburg State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 53.1% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($17,664 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Mercy? 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 Mercy and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fitchburg State University (1150) is 20 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Mercy - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Fitchburg State students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

Fitchburg State vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Mercy? 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).

• Fitchburg State University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $1,014 lower median loan debt than Mercy graduates ($22,685 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy graduates ($234 vs. $245).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 40%)

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.