Mercy vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 4,454 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

Mercy vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or SU? 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 SU ($15,200 vs. $27,181).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shenandoah University are 18.1% lower than at Mercy University ($12,490 vs. $15,250).
• Shenandoah University is 61.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $14,070 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.5% higher at SU than at Mercy University (about $14,070 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at Mercy University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 40.1% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($24,747 vs. $17,664).

Mercy vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 10 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming Mercy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than SU (77%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 16.7% at SU.

Mercy vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and SU? 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).

• Shenandoah University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Shenandoah University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $1,301 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($23,699 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($245 vs. $258).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.