Mercyhurst University vs. Fairmont State

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA with Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fairmont State University is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (3,305 students vs. 2,632 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercyhurst University is located in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting); Fairmont State University is in Fairmont, WV (Distant Town setting).
• Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fairmont State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercyhurst University 14:1; Fairmont State University 14:1.

Mercyhurst University vs. Fairmont State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercyhurst University or Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State University than Mercyhurst University ($11,328 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fairmont State University are 19.8% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($11,656 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 425.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fairmont State (about $37,062 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $8,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.9% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Fairmont State University (about $26,846 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Fairmont State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 297% larger than aid received by Fairmont State University students ($33,949 vs. $8,552).

Mercyhurst University vs. Fairmont State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercyhurst University or Fairmont State ? 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 Fairmont State and Mercyhurst University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 810/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsFairmont State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercyhurst University - Test-free; Fairmont State - Required.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have the same average high school GPA (3.36) as students at Fairmont State (3.36).
• Fairmont State has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Mercyhurst University vs. 33.8% at Fairmont State .

Mercyhurst University vs. Fairmont State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercyhurst University and Fairmont State ? 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).

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Fairmont State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Fairmont State graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $37,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fairmont State University graduates have a $4,698 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($22,000 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Fairmont State graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($227 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fairmont State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 43%)

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.