Mercy vs. VCU

Comparable Facts

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

Virginia Commonwealth University is larger than Mercy based on total student enrollment (28,464 students vs. 8,991 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Commonwealth University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Virginia Commonwealth University 17:1.

Mercy vs. VCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or VCU? 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 VCU ($15,200 vs. $26,836).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 16.5% lower than at Virginia Commonwealth University ($15,250 vs. $18,254).
• Mercy University is 35% more expensive for in-state tuition than VCU (about $5,935 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $16,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.3% higher at VCU than at Mercy University (about $17,229 more per year; $40,109.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Virginia Commonwealth University (99% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 24.5% larger than aid received by Virginia Commonwealth University students ($17,664 vs. $14,186).

Mercy vs. VCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Commonwealth University (1140) is 10 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Incoming VCU 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; Virginia Commonwealth University 1010/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25; Virginia Commonwealth University 22/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; VCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VCU Jan 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman VCU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• VCU has a higher acceptance rate (92.6%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 21.6% at VCU.

Mercy vs. VCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and VCU? 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).

• Virginia Commonwealth University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Commonwealth University graduates have a $449 lower median loan debt than Mercy graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, VCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy graduates ($240 vs. $245).
• More VCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.