Shawnee State University vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, OH with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shawnee State University is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 2,632 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth, OH (Distant Town setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Shawnee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Shawnee State University 12:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Shawnee State University vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University than Mercyhurst University ($13,996 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shawnee State University are 14% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,502 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 330.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shawnee State University (about $35,144 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $10,626.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.7% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Shawnee State University (about $28,412 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $17,358.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Shawnee State University (100% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 334.1% larger than aid received by Shawnee State University students ($33,949 vs. $7,820).

Shawnee State University vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University.

• Shawnee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shawnee State University - Open admission; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Shawnee State University (3.3).

Shawnee State University vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Shawnee State University 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 Shawnee State University's (22%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Shawnee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have a $2,986 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($23,712 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Shawnee State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($245 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shawnee State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 36%)

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.