Suffolk University vs. Mercy

Deciding between Suffolk University and Mercy University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Suffolk University
Mercy University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Suffolk University Boston, MA
  • Mercy Dobbs Ferry, NY
  • Setting
  • Suffolk University Large City
  • Mercy Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Suffolk University 6,356
  • Mercy 8,991
  • Type
  • Suffolk University Private 4 Year
  • Mercy Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Suffolk University #521
  • Mercy #866
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Suffolk University -
  • Mercy -
  • Status
  • Suffolk University Non-profit
  • Mercy Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Suffolk University
  • Mercy
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • Mercy $22,880
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Suffolk University $47,550
  • Mercy $22,880
  • Room & Board
  • Suffolk University $21,326
  • Mercy $15,250
  • Average Net Price
  • Suffolk University $33,832
  • Mercy $15,200
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University $31,558
  • Mercy $17,664
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Suffolk University 98%
  • Mercy 99%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Suffolk University 10,308
  • Mercy 8,642
  • Admitted
  • Suffolk University 8,487
  • Mercy 7,418
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Suffolk University 82.3%
  • Mercy 85.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Suffolk University 10.9%
  • Mercy 14.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Suffolk University 1200
  • Mercy 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Suffolk University 26
  • Mercy 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Suffolk University 3.33
  • Mercy 3.19
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Suffolk University B+
  • Mercy B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Suffolk University Challenging
  • Mercy Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Suffolk University
  • Mercy
  • ACT Range
  • Suffolk University 24/28
  • Mercy 21/25
  • SAT Range
  • Suffolk University 1090/1300
  • Mercy 1020/1230
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Suffolk University Test optional
  • Mercy Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027
  • Mercy
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Suffolk University 15:1
  • Mercy 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Suffolk University
    • Business (39%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Mercy
    • Social Sciences (30%)
    • Health Professions (21%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (4%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Suffolk University 54%
  • Mercy 31%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Suffolk University $59,100
  • Mercy $42,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Suffolk University 70%
  • Mercy 40%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Suffolk University $27,000
  • Mercy $23,699
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Suffolk University $279
  • Mercy $245
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Suffolk University 36%
  • Mercy 30%
  • % Women
  • Suffolk University 64%
  • Mercy 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Suffolk University Very High
  • Mercy Very High
  • HBCU
  • Suffolk University No
  • Mercy No
  • % White
  • Suffolk University 40%
  • Mercy 27%
  • % Asian
  • Suffolk University 8%
  • Mercy 4%
  • % Black
  • Suffolk University 6%
  • Mercy 23%
  • % Hispanic
  • Suffolk University 11%
  • Mercy 35%
  • % Native American
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • Mercy 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Suffolk University 0%
  • Mercy 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Suffolk University 2%
  • Mercy 2%
  • % International
  • Suffolk University 23%
  • Mercy 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Suffolk University 9%
  • Mercy 7%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Suffolk University 58%
  • Mercy 91%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Suffolk University 31%
  • Mercy 6%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • Mercy Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Suffolk University No
  • Mercy No
  • Meal Plan
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • Mercy Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Suffolk University Yes
  • Mercy Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Suffolk University No
  • Mercy Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Suffolk University in Boston, MA 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 Suffolk University based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 6,356 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Suffolk University is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
  • Suffolk University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Suffolk University 15:1; Mercy University 16:1.

Suffolk University vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Suffolk University 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 Suffolk University ($15,200 vs. $33,832).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 28.5% lower than at Suffolk University ($15,250 vs. $21,326).
  • Suffolk University is 107.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $24,670 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $22,880.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 107.8% higher at Suffolk University than at Mercy University (about $24,670 more per year; $47,550.00 vs. $22,880.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Suffolk University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 78.7% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($31,558 vs. $17,664).

Suffolk University vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Suffolk University 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 Suffolk University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Suffolk University (1200) is 70 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
  • Incoming Suffolk University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Mercy).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 1090/1300; Mercy University 1020/1230.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Suffolk University 24/28; Mercy University 21/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Suffolk University - Test optional; Mercy - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Suffolk University Feb 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Suffolk University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Mercy (3.19).
  • Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than Suffolk University (82.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Suffolk University vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

Suffolk University vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Suffolk University 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).

  • Suffolk University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,100 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than Suffolk University graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Suffolk University graduates ($245 vs. $279).
  • More Suffolk University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.