Mercyhurst University vs. Penn College

Comparable Facts

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

Pennsylvania College of Technology is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (4,575 students vs. 2,632 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mercyhurst University vs. Penn College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercyhurst University or Penn College? 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 Pennsylvania College of Technology than Mercyhurst University ($23,675 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pennsylvania College of Technology are 11.8% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,818 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 150.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn College (about $27,530 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,240.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (about $19,790 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $25,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Pennsylvania College of Technology (100% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 278.7% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania College of Technology students ($33,949 vs. $8,964).

Mercyhurst University vs. Penn College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercyhurst University or Penn College? 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 Penn College and Mercyhurst University.

• Pennsylvania College of Technology reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercyhurst University - Test-free; Penn College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Penn College (3.05).

Mercyhurst University vs. Penn College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercyhurst University and Penn College? 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 Technology's (42%).
• Graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology earn a median of about $700 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania College of Technology graduates have a $5,198 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Penn College graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($222 vs. $276).
• More Penn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.