Mercy vs. LRC

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy University is larger than LRC based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 2,153 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); La Roche University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. La Roche University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; La Roche University 11:1.

Mercy vs. LRC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or LRC? 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 LRC ($15,200 vs. $24,108).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Roche University are 12.2% lower than at Mercy University ($13,390 vs. $15,250).
• La Roche University is 48.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $11,172 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at LRC than at Mercy University (about $11,172 more per year; $34,052.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at La Roche University (99% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Roche University students is 30.7% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($23,083 vs. $17,664).

Mercy vs. LRC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 60 points higher than at LRC (1070).
• Incoming Mercy students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 18 at LRC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy University 1020/1230; La Roche University 940/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy University 21/25; La Roche University 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; LRC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LRC Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman LRC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than LRC (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 9.8% at LRC.

Mercy vs. LRC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and LRC? 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.

• La Roche University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from La Roche University earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $2,301 lower median loan debt than LRC graduates ($23,699 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LRC graduates ($245 vs. $268).
• More LRC 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.