Mercy vs. Wilkes

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy University is larger than Wilkes based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 5,381 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Wilkes University is in Wilkes-Barre, PA (Small City setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilkes University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Wilkes University 13:1.

Mercy vs. Wilkes Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or Wilkes? 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 Wilkes ($15,200 vs. $28,511).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 5.7% lower than at Wilkes University ($15,250 vs. $16,166).
• Wilkes University is 90.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $20,616 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.1% higher at Wilkes than at Mercy University (about $20,616 more per year; $43,496.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes University than at Mercy University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilkes University students is 60.3% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($28,324 vs. $17,664).

Mercy vs. Wilkes Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wilkes University (1140) is 10 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Incoming Wilkes students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Mercy).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Wilkes University 1020/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25; Wilkes University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Wilkes - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wilkes students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Wilkes has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 9.3% at Wilkes.

Mercy vs. Wilkes Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and Wilkes? 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).

• Wilkes University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Wilkes University earn a median of about $16,000 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 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 Wilkes graduates ($23,699 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wilkes graduates ($245 vs. $268).
• More Wilkes graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.