CW vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare The College of Westchester in White Plains, 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 CW based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 759 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The College of Westchester is located in White Plains, NY (Small City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• The College of Westchester is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The College of Westchester 19:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

CW vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CW 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 The College of Westchester than Mercyhurst University ($15,871 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Westchester are 34.5% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($9,520 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 81.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CW (about $20,579 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $25,191.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.7% higher at Mercyhurst University than at The College of Westchester (about $20,579 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $25,191.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at The College of Westchester as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 114.3% larger than aid received by The College of Westchester students ($33,949 vs. $15,841).

CW vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CW 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 CW.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CW - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• CW has a higher acceptance rate (94.4%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.3% at CW vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

CW vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CW 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 $3,900 more per year than CW graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Westchester graduates have a $2,804 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($23,894 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, CW graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($247 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CW students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 31%)

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.