Russell Sage College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Russell Sage College in Troy, NY with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Russell Sage College is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (2,790 students vs. 2,632 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Russell Sage College is located in Troy, NY (Small City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Russell Sage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Russell Sage College 10:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Russell Sage College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Russell Sage 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 Russell Sage College than Mercyhurst University ($21,046 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Russell Sage College are 3.4% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($14,048 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Russell Sage College (about $7,606 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Russell Sage College (about $7,606 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $38,164.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Russell Sage College as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Russell Sage College students ($33,949 vs. $29,295).

Russell Sage College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Russell Sage 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 Russell Sage College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Russell Sage College - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Russell Sage College (3.3).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Russell Sage College (53.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Russell Sage College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Russell Sage College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Russell Sage 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).

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Russell Sage College's (58%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Russell Sage College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Russell Sage College graduates have a $3,448 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Russell Sage College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($240 vs. $276).
• More Russell Sage College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 56%)

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.