Mercy vs. Old Dominion

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY with Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Old Dominion University is larger than Mercy based on total student enrollment (23,743 students vs. 8,991 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Old Dominion University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Old Dominion University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Old Dominion University 13:1.

Mercy vs. Old Dominion Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or Old Dominion? 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 Old Dominion ($15,200 vs. $16,419).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Old Dominion University are 2.4% lower than at Mercy University ($14,878 vs. $15,250).
• Mercy University is 79.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Old Dominion (about $10,130 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $12,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.6% higher at Old Dominion than at Mercy University (about $10,900 more per year; $33,780.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Old Dominion University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 50.5% larger than aid received by Old Dominion University students ($17,664 vs. $11,740).

Mercy vs. Old Dominion Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Old Dominion University (1190) is 60 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Incoming Old Dominion students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Mercy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Old Dominion University 1100/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25; Old Dominion University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Old Dominion - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Old Dominion Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Old Dominion students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Old Dominion has a higher acceptance rate (90.4%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 19.9% at Old Dominion.

Mercy vs. Old Dominion Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and Old Dominion? 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).

• Old Dominion University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Old Dominion University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Old Dominion University graduates have a $199 lower median loan debt than Mercy graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Old Dominion graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy graduates ($242 vs. $245).
• More Old Dominion graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.