Mercy vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY with Arcadia University in Glenside, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy University is larger than Arcadia based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 3,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy University is located in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting); Arcadia University is in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy University 16:1; Arcadia University 10:1.

Mercy vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy or Arcadia? 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 Mercy University than Arcadia ($15,200 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 11.2% lower than at Arcadia University ($15,250 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 116.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy (about $26,730 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.8% higher at Arcadia than at Mercy University (about $26,730 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $22,880.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University as at Arcadia University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 96.5% larger than aid received by Mercy University students ($34,705 vs. $17,664).

Mercy vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and Mercy.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Mercy (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 1020/1230; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy - Test-free; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Arcadia students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Mercy (3.19).
• Mercy has a higher acceptance rate (85.8%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.3% at Mercy vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

Mercy vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $3,301 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($23,699 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($245 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 40%)

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.