Wilberforce University vs. Mercyhurst College

Should I go to Wilberforce University or Mercyhurst College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Wilberforce University or Mercyhurst College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Wilberforce University vs. Mercyhurst College comparison
Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
Location Wilberforce, OH Erie, PA
Setting Rural Fringe Midsize City
Enrollment 656 2,801
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation African Methodist Episcopal Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wilberforce.edu mercyhurst.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
Tuition (In State) $12,020 $40,530
Tuition (Out of State) $12,020 $40,530
Room & Board $7,000 $14,025
Avg Net Price $14,070 $24,935
Avg Grant Aid $9,380 $32,418
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,100 3,625
Admitted 1,850 2,920
Acceptance Rate 45.1% 80.6%
Enrolled % 19.6% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA 2.82 3.36
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 14/18
SAT Range 840/940
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (54%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (19%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (7%)
  • General Studies (5%)

Outcomes

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
Graduation Rate 30% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,200 $43,700
Making Student Loan Payments 39% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,750 $26,698
Median Loan Payment $214 $276

Diversity

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
% Men 45% 40%
% Women 55% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 73%
% Black 84% 6%
% Hispanic 1% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 0% 11%
% Unknown Race 10% 4%

Students

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
% In-State 30% 51%
% Out-of-State 34% 45%

Campus

 Wilberforce University Mercyhurst College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Mercyhurst College is larger than than Wilberforce University based on total student enrollment (2,801 students vs. 656 students)

Wilberforce University vs. Mercyhurst College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wilberforce University or Mercyhurst College?

  • Mercyhurst College is 237.2% more expensive to attend than Wilberforce University for in-state tuition ($40,530.00 vs. $12,020.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 237.2% higher at Mercyhurst College than Wilberforce University ($40,530.00 vs. $12,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Wilberforce University than Mercyhurst College ($14,070 vs. $24,935)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilberforce University are 100.4% lower than costs at Mercyhurst College ($7,000 vs. $14,025)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wilberforce University than Mercyhurst College (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst College students is 245.6% larger than aid received Wilberforce University ($32,418 vs. $9,380)

Wilberforce University vs. Mercyhurst College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wilberforce University or Mercyhurst College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mercyhurst College or Wilberforce University .

  • Accepted freshman Mercyhurst College students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Wilberforce University (2.82)
  • Mercyhurst College has a higher acceptance rate (80.6%) than Wilberforce University (45.1%)

Wilberforce University vs. Mercyhurst College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Wilberforce University or Mercyhurst College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mercyhurst College and Wilberforce University.

  • The graduation rate at Mercyhurst College is higher than Wilberforce University (68% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Mercyhurst College earn on average $7,500 more per year than Wilberforce University graduates after ten years. ($43,700 vs. $36,200)
  • Wilberforce University students graduate with a $5,948 lower median federal student loan debt than Mercyhurst College graduates. ($20,750 vs. $26,698)
  • Wilberforce University graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than Mercyhurst College graduates. ($214 vs. $276)
  • More Mercyhurst College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilberforce University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 39%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/