Maria College of Albany vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Maria College of Albany in Albany, NY with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Maria College of Albany based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 722 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Maria College of Albany is located in Albany, NY (Small City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Maria College of Albany is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Maria College of Albany 6:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Maria College of Albany vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maria College of Albany 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 Maria College of Albany than Mercyhurst University ($16,254 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maria College of Albany are 34.7% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($9,500 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 144.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Maria College of Albany (about $27,030 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,740.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.2% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Maria College of Albany (about $27,030 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Maria College of Albany (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 226.3% larger than aid received by Maria College of Albany students ($33,949 vs. $10,405).

Maria College of Albany vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Maria College of Albany or Mercyhurst University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mercyhurst University and Maria College of Albany.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Maria College of Albany 965/1095.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Maria College of Albany - Test optional; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.86 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Maria College of Albany (2.5).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Maria College of Albany (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.3% at Maria College of Albany vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Maria College of Albany vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Maria College of Albany and Mercyhurst University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate is 68%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Maria College of Albany.
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $300 more per year than Maria College of Albany graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have a $6,580 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($20,118 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Maria College of Albany graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($208 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Maria College of Albany students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 45%)

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.