Mercyhurst University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA with Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in Lancaster, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercyhurst University is located in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting); Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is in Lancaster, PA (Small City setting).
• Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercyhurst University 14:1; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design 10:1.

Mercyhurst University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercyhurst University or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Mercyhurst University than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($25,946 vs. $28,826).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 15.6% lower than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design ($14,540 vs. $17,230).
• Mercyhurst University is 42.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (about $13,620 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $32,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (about $13,620 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $32,150.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University as at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 126.5% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Art and Design students ($33,949 vs. $14,989).

Mercyhurst University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercyhurst University or Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design and Mercyhurst University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercyhurst University - Test-free; Pennsylvania College of Art and Design - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (3.13).
• Pennsylvania College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (99.2%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Mercyhurst University vs. 32.5% at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.

Mercyhurst University vs. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercyhurst University and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design? 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 Pennsylvania College of Art and Design's (52%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $28,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $302 lower median loan debt than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($26,698 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates ($276 vs. $279).
• More Pennsylvania College of Art and Design graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 56%)

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.