TU vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

Compare Towson University in Towson, MD with Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Towson University is larger than Mercy based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 8,991 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; Mercy University 16:1.

TU vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 TU ($15,200 vs. $16,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 6.2% lower than at Towson University ($15,250 vs. $16,260).
• Mercy University is 95.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than TU (about $11,152 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $11,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at TU than at Mercy University (about $6,940 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Towson University (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 49.4% larger than aid received by Towson University students ($17,664 vs. $11,820).

TU vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 40 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming TU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Mercy (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; Mercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; Mercy - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than TU (82%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

TU vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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).

• Towson University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Towson University earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Towson University graduates have a $5,949 lower median loan debt than Mercy graduates ($17,750 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, TU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy graduates ($183 vs. $245).
• More TU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.