Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL 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 Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach Atlantic University is located in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Mercy University 16:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic 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 Palm Beach Atlantic ($15,200 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 9.5% lower than at Mercy University ($13,800 vs. $15,250).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 77.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $17,770 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Mercy University (about $17,770 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Mercy University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 27.3% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($22,493 vs. $17,664).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic 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 Palm Beach Atlantic.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 40 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Mercy students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26; Mercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; Mercy - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Palm Beach Atlantic students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than Palm Beach Atlantic (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic 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).

• Palm Beach Atlantic University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic University graduates have a $995 lower median loan debt than Mercy graduates ($22,704 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy graduates ($234 vs. $245).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.