Keystone College vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Keystone College in La Plume, 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 Keystone College based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 952 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Keystone College is located in La Plume, PA (Large Suburban setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Keystone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Keystone College 12:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Keystone College vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Keystone 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 Keystone College than Mercyhurst University ($21,952 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Keystone College are 13.3% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($12,600 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 150.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Keystone College (about $27,470 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.1% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Keystone College (about $27,470 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Keystone College (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 235.5% larger than aid received by Keystone College students ($33,949 vs. $10,119).

Keystone College vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Keystone College 910/1130.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Keystone College - Test optional; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Keystone College (3.0).
• Keystone College has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at Keystone College vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Keystone College vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Keystone College 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 Keystone College's (39%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Keystone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Keystone College graduates have a $698 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($26,000 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Keystone College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($268 vs. $276).
• More Keystone College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.