Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Laguna College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Laguna College of Art and Design is located in Laguna Beach, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Laguna College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Laguna College of Art and Design 9:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laguna College of Art and Design 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 Laguna College of Art and Design ($25,946 vs. $47,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 25.6% lower than at Laguna College of Art and Design ($14,540 vs. $19,553).
• Mercyhurst University is 22.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Laguna College of Art and Design (about $8,270 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Laguna College of Art and Design (about $8,270 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Laguna College of Art and Design as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 204.4% larger than aid received by Laguna College of Art and Design students ($33,949 vs. $11,153).

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Laguna College of Art and Design 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 Laguna College of Art and Design.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Laguna College of Art and Design - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Laguna College of Art and Design Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Laguna College of Art and Design students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mercyhurst University (3.36).
• Laguna College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Laguna College of Art and Design vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Laguna College of Art and Design 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 Laguna College of Art and Design's (56%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $1 lower median loan debt than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($26,698 vs. $26,699).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Mercyhurst University and Laguna College of Art and Design graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($276 vs. $276).
• More Laguna College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.