Mercy vs. Chatham

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy University is larger than Chatham based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 2,309 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Chatham University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Chatham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Chatham University 10:1.

Mercy vs. Chatham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or Chatham? 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 Chatham ($15,200 vs. $31,280).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chatham University are 10.8% lower than at Mercy University ($13,600 vs. $15,250).
• Chatham University is 95% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $21,746 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95% higher at Chatham than at Mercy University (about $21,746 more per year; $44,626.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chatham University than at Mercy University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chatham University students is 70.4% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($30,095 vs. $17,664).

Mercy vs. Chatham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy or Chatham? 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 Chatham and Mercy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chatham University (1180) is 50 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Incoming Chatham students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Mercy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Chatham University 1070/1295.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25; Chatham University 21/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Chatham - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Chatham students have a 0.67 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than Chatham (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 12.7% at Chatham.

Mercy vs. Chatham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and Chatham? 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).

• Chatham University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Mercy University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Chatham graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chatham University graduates have a $3,199 lower median loan debt than Mercy graduates ($20,500 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Chatham graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy graduates ($211 vs. $245).
• More Chatham graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.