Kent State University at Salem vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Salem in Salem, 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 Kent State University at Salem based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,633 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kent State University at Salem is located in Salem, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Kent State University at Salem is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Salem 26:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Kent State University at Salem vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State University at Salem 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 Kent State University at Salem than Mercyhurst University ($13,301 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 18.8% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($11,810 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 510.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State University at Salem (about $38,278 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $7,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.9% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Kent State University at Salem (about $28,428 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $17,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Kent State University at Salem (100% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 561.1% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Salem students ($33,949 vs. $5,135).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State University at Salem 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 Kent State University at Salem.

• Kent State University at Salem reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State University at Salem - Open admission; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kent State University at Salem Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Kent State University at Salem (3.27).

Kent State University at Salem vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State University at Salem 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 Kent State University at Salem's (19%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Kent State University at Salem graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have a $873 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($25,825 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Kent State University at Salem graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($267 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

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.