WestConn vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT 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 WestConn based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 4,169 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Connecticut State University is located in Danbury, CT (Small City setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Connecticut State University 11:1; Mercy University 16:1.

WestConn vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WestConn 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 WestConn ($15,200 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 2.6% lower than at Western Connecticut State University ($15,250 vs. $15,659).
• Mercy University is 70.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WestConn (about $9,479 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $13,401.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.4% higher at Mercy than at Western Connecticut State University (about $5,979 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Western Connecticut State University (99% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Western Connecticut State University students ($17,664 vs. $12,870).

WestConn vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WestConn or Mercy? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mercy and WestConn.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 20 points higher than at WestConn (1110).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresMercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WestConn - Test optional; Mercy - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman WestConn students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• WestConn has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at WestConn vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

WestConn vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WestConn and Mercy? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Western Connecticut State University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $1,301 lower median loan debt than WestConn graduates ($23,699 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($245 vs. $258).
• More WestConn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.