Paul Smith's College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science in Paul Smiths, NY with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Paul Smith's College based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 948 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is located in Paul Smiths, NY (Distant Rural setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science 12:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Paul Smith's College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paul Smith's 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 Mercyhurst University than Paul Smith's College ($25,946 vs. $28,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science are 2.1% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($14,236 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 38.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paul Smith's College (about $12,761 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $33,009.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.7% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science (about $12,761 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $33,009.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 47.8% larger than aid received by Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science students ($33,949 vs. $22,973).

Paul Smith's College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Paul Smith's 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 Paul Smith's College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paul Smith's College - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Paul Smith's College (2.8).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Paul Smith's College (76.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.8% at Paul Smith's College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Paul Smith's College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paul Smith's 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 Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science's (37%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Paul Smith's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science graduates have a $1,698 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Paul Smith's College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($258 vs. $276).
• More Paul Smith's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.