CHC vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than CHC based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,288 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CHC vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CHC 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 CHC ($25,946 vs. $28,588).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chestnut Hill College are 13.3% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,600 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 14.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CHC (about $5,900 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $39,870.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.8% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Chestnut Hill College (about $5,900 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $39,870.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chestnut Hill College as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 14.7% larger than aid received by Chestnut Hill College students ($33,949 vs. $29,590).

CHC vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CHC 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 CHC.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Chestnut Hill College 900/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CHC - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at CHC (3.12).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than CHC (74.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.2% at CHC vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

CHC vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CHC 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.

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Chestnut Hill College's (44%).
• Graduates from Chestnut Hill College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chestnut Hill College graduates have a $217 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($26,481 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, CHC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($273 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CHC students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 47%)

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.