Dean College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Dean College in Franklin, MA with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Dean College based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,092 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dean College is located in Franklin, MA (Large Suburban setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Dean College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dean College 15:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Dean College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dean College 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 Dean College ($25,946 vs. $32,085).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 26.8% lower than at Dean College ($14,540 vs. $19,864).
• Dean College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercyhurst University (about $756 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Dean College than at Mercyhurst University (about $756 more per year; $46,526.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dean College as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 3% larger than aid received by Dean College students ($33,949 vs. $32,958).

Dean College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dean College 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 Dean College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dean College - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dean College Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Dean College (2.88).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Dean College (73.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.7% at Dean College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Dean College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dean College 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 Dean College's (62%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Dean College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dean College graduates have a $10,345 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($16,353 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Dean College graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($169 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Dean College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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.