Paine College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Paine College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College or Mercyhurst University? 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 Paine College than Mercyhurst University ($15,935 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 48.3% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($7,512 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 213.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $31,174 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 213.6% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Paine College (about $31,174 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paine College as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 179.5% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($33,949 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Paine College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College and Mercyhurst University? 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 Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have a $9,052 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($26,698 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Mercyhurst University graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($276 vs. $369).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 15%)

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.