Lesley University vs. Mercyhurst University

Deciding between Lesley University and Mercyhurst University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Lesley University

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • Lesley University Cambridge, MA
  • Mercyhurst University Erie, PA
  • Setting
  • Lesley University Midsize City
  • Mercyhurst University Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Lesley University 2,557
  • Mercyhurst University 2,632
  • Type
  • Lesley University Private 4 Year
  • Mercyhurst University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Lesley University -
  • Mercyhurst University Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • Lesley University Non-profit
  • Mercyhurst University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Mercyhurst University $45,770
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Lesley University $34,256
  • Mercyhurst University $45,770
  • Room & Board
  • Lesley University $19,920
  • Mercyhurst University $14,540
  • Average Net Price
  • Lesley University $32,587
  • Mercyhurst University $25,946
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Lesley University $19,167
  • Mercyhurst University $33,949
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Lesley University 100%
  • Mercyhurst University 100%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Lesley University 2,526
  • Mercyhurst University 3,567
  • Admitted
  • Lesley University 2,447
  • Mercyhurst University 2,890
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Lesley University 96.9%
  • Mercyhurst University 81%
  • Enrolled
  • Lesley University 7.9%
  • Mercyhurst University 20.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University
  • Average High School GPA
  • Lesley University 3.31
  • Mercyhurst University 3.36
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Lesley University B+
  • Mercyhurst University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Lesley University Unavailable
  • Mercyhurst University Unavailable
  • Applicant Competition
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University
  • ACT Range
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University
  • SAT Range
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Lesley University Test-free
  • Mercyhurst University Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Lesley University
  • Mercyhurst University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Lesley University 10:1
  • Mercyhurst University 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Lesley University
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (20%)
    • Psychology (20%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • Work and Family Studies (6%)
  • Mercyhurst University
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (19%)
    • Business (18%)
    • Education (7%)
    • General Studies (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Lesley University 49%
  • Mercyhurst University 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Lesley University $38,600
  • Mercyhurst University $43,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Lesley University 63%
  • Mercyhurst University 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Lesley University $24,320
  • Mercyhurst University $26,698
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Lesley University $251
  • Mercyhurst University $276

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Lesley University 23%
  • Mercyhurst University 42%
  • % Women
  • Lesley University 77%
  • Mercyhurst University 58%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Lesley University Medium
  • Mercyhurst University Low
  • HBCU
  • Lesley University No
  • Mercyhurst University No
  • % White
  • Lesley University 67%
  • Mercyhurst University 73%
  • % Asian
  • Lesley University 4%
  • Mercyhurst University 2%
  • % Black
  • Lesley University 7%
  • Mercyhurst University 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Lesley University 10%
  • Mercyhurst University 2%
  • % Native American
  • Lesley University 0%
  • Mercyhurst University 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Lesley University 0%
  • Mercyhurst University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Lesley University 3%
  • Mercyhurst University 1%
  • % International
  • Lesley University 2%
  • Mercyhurst University 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Lesley University 6%
  • Mercyhurst University 4%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Lesley University 62%
  • Mercyhurst University 53%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Lesley University 34%
  • Mercyhurst University 42%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Lesley University Yes
  • Mercyhurst University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Lesley University No
  • Mercyhurst University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Lesley University Yes
  • Mercyhurst University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Lesley University Yes
  • Mercyhurst University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Lesley University No
  • Mercyhurst University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Lesley University in Cambridge, 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 Lesley University based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 2,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Lesley University vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lesley University 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 Lesley University ($25,946 vs. $32,587).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 27% lower than at Lesley University ($14,540 vs. $19,920).
  • Mercyhurst University is 33.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $11,514 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 33.6% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Lesley University (about $11,514 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $34,256.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Lesley University as at Mercyhurst University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 77.1% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($33,949 vs. $19,167).

Lesley University vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lesley University 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 Lesley University.

  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lesley University - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
  • Accepted freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
  • Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Mercyhurst University (81%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.9% at Lesley University vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Lesley University vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lesley University 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 Lesley University's (49%).
  • Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Lesley University graduates have a $2,378 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($24,320 vs. $26,698).
  • Among borrowers, Lesley University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($251 vs. $276).
  • More Lesley University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.