Nichols vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

Compare Nichols College in Dudley, MA with Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy University is larger than Nichols based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 1,392 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Nichols College is located in Dudley, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Nichols College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Nichols College 15:1; Mercy University 16:1.

Nichols vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nichols or Mercy? 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 Nichols ($15,200 vs. $32,337).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 3.5% lower than at Nichols College ($15,250 vs. $15,800).
• Nichols College is 86.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $19,825 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.6% higher at Nichols than at Mercy University (about $19,825 more per year; $42,705.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Nichols College as at Mercy University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nichols College students is 46.1% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($25,809 vs. $17,664).

Nichols vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

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

• Nichols College reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Nichols College (1130) is the same as at Mercy (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Nichols College 1028/1236; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Nichols - Open admission; Mercy - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mercy students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Nichols (2.9).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than Nichols (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.1% at Nichols vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

Nichols vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Nichols and Mercy? 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).

• Nichols College's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Nichols College earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than Nichols graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nichols graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Nichols graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.