Plaza College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Plaza College in Forest Hills, 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 Plaza College based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,002 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Plaza College is located in Forest Hills, NY (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Plaza College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Plaza College 28:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Plaza College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Plaza 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 Plaza College than Mercyhurst University ($19,860 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 6.2% lower than at Plaza College ($14,540 vs. $15,500).
• Mercyhurst University is 196.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Plaza College (about $30,320 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.2% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Plaza College (about $30,320 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $15,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Plaza College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 409.4% larger than aid received by Plaza College students ($33,949 vs. $6,665).

Plaza College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Plaza 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 Plaza College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Plaza College - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Plaza College (30%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 54.9% at Plaza College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Plaza College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Plaza 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).

• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Plaza College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Plaza College graduates have a $12,783 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($13,915 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Plaza College graduates have an estimated $133 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($143 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Plaza College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 30%)

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.