McDaniel College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 2,632 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McDaniel College is located in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McDaniel College 13:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

McDaniel College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel 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 McDaniel College than Mercyhurst University ($24,497 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 10.8% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,974 vs. $14,540).
• McDaniel College is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercyhurst University (about $6,311 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at McDaniel College than at Mercyhurst University (about $6,311 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at McDaniel College as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 19.9% larger than aid received by Mercyhurst University students ($40,721 vs. $33,949).

McDaniel College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: McDaniel College - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Mercyhurst University (3.36).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at McDaniel College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

McDaniel College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for McDaniel 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Mercyhurst University's (68%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $302 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.