AQ vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than AQ based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Aquinas College is located in Grand Rapids, MI (Midsize City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Aquinas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Aquinas College 10:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

AQ vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AQ 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 Aquinas College than Mercyhurst University ($18,018 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aquinas College are 19.7% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($11,680 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than AQ (about $5,552 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $40,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Aquinas College (about $5,552 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $40,218.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Aquinas College as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Aquinas College students ($33,949 vs. $33,535).

AQ vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AQ 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 AQ.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 910/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aquinas College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AQ - Test optional; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman AQ students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Mercyhurst University (3.36).
• AQ has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.8% at AQ vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

AQ vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AQ 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 Aquinas College's (52%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than AQ graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Aquinas College graduates have a $698 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, AQ graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($268 vs. $276).
• More AQ graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.