Mercyhurst University
- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,452 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $19,444 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 81% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 15.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,109,483.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $15.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Mercyhurst University Matters
Mercyhurst University is a private university in Erie, PA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,191
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Mercyhurst University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 81% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,444 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,452 ten years after enrolling — 16% above the typical college, against $25,305 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 86% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.43 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 81%, Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, attracts a diverse group of students who are looking for a supportive environment to pursue their education. Many students here focus on programs like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Criminal Justice, which are popular fields that align well with job market demands. For those interested in the arts, the Visual & Performing Arts program also stands out, providing a creative outlet alongside academic growth.
Looking at life after graduation, students at Mercyhurst can expect to earn around $47,452 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure highlights the potential for a stable income, especially for graduates in fields that are in demand. With a net price of $19,444 after aid, the investment in education here feels more manageable, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds, as 31% of students receive Pell Grants.
When we think about the financial implications, the median debt of $25,305 is a key consideration. This amount is relatively reasonable compared to potential earnings, making Mercyhurst an appealing option for students who are mindful of their debt load. Those who tend to thrive here are often those who appreciate a close-knit community and are eager to engage in both academic and extracurricular opportunities, preparing them for a successful transition into their careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Mercyhurst University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mercyhurst University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mercyhurst University, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 81%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,193
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 3,625
- Admitted
- 2,920
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mercyhurst University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mercyhurst University is $45,770, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,444. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,626 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,305 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $45,770
- Out-of-State
- $45,770
- Avg Net Price
- $19,444
- Median Debt
- $25,305
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 65%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,626
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $22,429
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,197
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,748
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Mercyhurst University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Mercyhurst University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mercyhurst University earn a median of $47,452, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,565
- 8 Years
- $45,273
- 10 Years
- $47,452
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.53x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (391)
- 63%
- 100% (391)
- 63%
- 100% (391)
- 63%
- 100% (391)
- 63%
How Mercyhurst Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Mercyhurst University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mercyhurst University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,444/year ($77,776 total). Graduates earn $47,452 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,187,259 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,109,483 (15.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,305, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $77,776
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,187,259
- Net Return
- $1,109,483
- ROI Multiple
- 15.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,444
- Median Debt
- $25,305
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Mercyhurst University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mercyhurst University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.84%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.84%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $118,746
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-3,718,458
Top Programs
The fields Mercyhurst University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $60,427 early-career
- Health Professions 17% $72,208 early-career
- Criminal Justice 14% $38,804 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $26,097 early-career
- Education 6% $35,702 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $61,913 early-career
- Psychology 5% $31,771 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $46,350 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Mercyhurst University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mercyhurst University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mercyhurst University, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 81%. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mercyhurst University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mercyhurst University is $45,770, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,444. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,626 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,305 in federal student loans.
Is Mercyhurst University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mercyhurst University earn a median of $47,452, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Mercyhurst University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mercyhurst University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.84%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 5.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $87,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Mercyhurst University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mercyhurst University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.43, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Mercyhurst University.
- Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC · Close peer59% grad $48,039 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Everglades UniversityBoca Raton, FL · Close peer59% grad $47,597 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Muskingum UniversityNew Concord, OH · Close peer55% grad $48,440 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KS · Close peer55% grad $47,601 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Webster UniversitySaint Louis, MO · Close peer63% grad $50,876 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Otterbein UniversityWesterville, OH · Close peer68% grad $53,313 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Mercyhurst University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mercyhurst University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.43, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note