SHMS vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than SHMS based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sacred Heart Major Seminary is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sacred Heart Major Seminary 7:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

SHMS vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHMS 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 Sacred Heart Major Seminary than Mercyhurst University ($6,928 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sacred Heart Major Seminary are 13% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,650 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 89.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHMS (about $21,650 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $24,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.8% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Sacred Heart Major Seminary (about $21,650 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $24,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Sacred Heart Major Seminary as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sacred Heart Major Seminary students is 3.1% larger than aid received by Mercyhurst University students ($34,987 vs. $33,949).

SHMS vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHMS 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 SHMS.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHMS - Test optional; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHMS Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHMS students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Mercyhurst University (3.36).
• SHMS has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 100% at SHMS vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

SHMS vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHMS 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).

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.