The Catholic University of America vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The Catholic University of America is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (5,243 students vs. 2,632 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The Catholic University of America is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• The Catholic University of America is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The Catholic University of America 11:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

The Catholic University of America vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, The Catholic University of America 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 Mercyhurst University than The Catholic University of America ($25,946 vs. $32,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 20.1% lower than at The Catholic University of America ($14,540 vs. $18,200).
• The Catholic University of America is 27.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercyhurst University (about $12,608 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.5% higher at The Catholic University of America than at Mercyhurst University (about $12,608 more per year; $58,378.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at The Catholic University of America (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The Catholic University of America students is 25.7% larger than aid received by Mercyhurst University students ($42,657 vs. $33,949).

The Catholic University of America vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, The Catholic University of America or Mercyhurst University? 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 Mercyhurst University and The Catholic University of America.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: The Catholic University of America - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: The Catholic University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman The Catholic University of America students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Mercyhurst University (3.36).
• The Catholic University of America has a higher acceptance rate (82.8%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at The Catholic University of America vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

The Catholic University of America vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for The Catholic University of America and Mercyhurst University? 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.

• The graduation rate at The Catholic University of America is the same as at Mercyhurst University (68% vs. 68%).
• Graduates from The Catholic University of America earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,600 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have a $592 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($26,106 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, The Catholic University of America graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($269 vs. $276).
• More The Catholic University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.