Mercy vs. Penn State Shenango

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy University is larger than Penn State Shenango based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Shenango is in Sharon, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Shenango is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Penn State Shenango 7:1.

Mercy vs. Penn State Shenango Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or Penn State Shenango? 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 Penn State Shenango ($15,200 vs. $18,383).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 0.2% lower than at Penn State Shenango ($15,250 vs. $15,274).
• Mercy University is 63.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State Shenango (about $8,856 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $14,024.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at Penn State Shenango than at Mercy University (about $680 more per year; $23,560.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Penn State Shenango (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 97.1% larger than aid received by Penn State Shenango students ($17,664 vs. $8,962).

Mercy vs. Penn State Shenango Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy or Penn State Shenango? 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 Penn State Shenango and Mercy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Penn State Shenango (1140) is 10 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Penn State Shenango 1040/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Penn State Shenango - Test optional.
• Penn State Shenango has a higher acceptance rate (92.2%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 28% at Penn State Shenango.

Mercy vs. Penn State Shenango Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and Penn State Shenango? 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).

• Penn State Shenango's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Penn State Shenango earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $3,119 lower median loan debt than Penn State Shenango graduates ($23,699 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Shenango graduates ($245 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Shenango graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.