Mercyhurst University vs. Penn State York

Comparable Facts

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

Mercyhurst University is larger than Penn State York based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 677 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mercyhurst University vs. Penn State York Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercyhurst University or Penn State York? 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 Penn State York than Mercyhurst University ($18,887 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 4.8% lower than at Penn State York ($14,540 vs. $15,274).
• Mercyhurst University is 201% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State York (about $30,562 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $15,208.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.3% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Penn State York (about $20,378 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $25,392.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Penn State York (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 287.7% larger than aid received by Penn State York students ($33,949 vs. $8,756).

Mercyhurst University vs. Penn State York Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State York 1050/1245.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPenn State York 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercyhurst University - Test-free; Penn State York - Test optional.
• Penn State York has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Mercyhurst University vs. 10.7% at Penn State York.

Mercyhurst University vs. Penn State York Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercyhurst University and Penn State York? 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 Penn State York's (45%).
• Graduates from Penn State York earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $120 lower median loan debt than Penn State York graduates ($26,698 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State York graduates ($276 vs. $277).
• More Penn State York graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.