Mercy vs. Cedar Crest College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy University is larger than Cedar Crest College based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 1,290 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Cedar Crest College is in Allentown, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cedar Crest College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Cedar Crest College 9:1.

Mercy vs. Cedar Crest College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College ($15,200 vs. $23,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cedar Crest College are 12.1% lower than at Mercy University ($13,406 vs. $15,250).
• Cedar Crest College is 102.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $23,434 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.4% higher at Cedar Crest College than at Mercy University (about $23,434 more per year; $46,314.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University as at Cedar Crest College (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cedar Crest College students is 88.6% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($33,323 vs. $17,664).

Mercy vs. Cedar Crest College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy or Cedar Crest College? 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 Cedar Crest College and Mercy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 10 points higher than at Cedar Crest College (1120).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Cedar Crest College 1000/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Cedar Crest College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Cedar Crest College students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than Cedar Crest College (84.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 13.5% at Cedar Crest College.

Mercy vs. Cedar Crest College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and Cedar Crest College? 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).

• Cedar Crest College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Cedar Crest College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $4,051 lower median loan debt than Cedar Crest College graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,750).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cedar Crest College graduates ($245 vs. $286).
• More Cedar Crest College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.