Mercyhurst University vs. PAFA

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA with Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than PAFA based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 41 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercyhurst University is located in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercyhurst University 14:1; Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts 2:1.

Mercyhurst University vs. PAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercyhurst University or PAFA? 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 PAFA ($25,946 vs. $33,323).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 22.1% lower than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts ($14,540 vs. $18,662).
• Mercyhurst University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PAFA (about $1,170 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $44,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (about $1,170 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $44,600.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University as at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 37% larger than aid received by Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts students ($33,949 vs. $24,785).

Mercyhurst University vs. PAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercyhurst University or PAFA? 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 PAFA and Mercyhurst University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercyhurst University - Test-free; PAFA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: PAFA Feb 1, 2027.

Mercyhurst University vs. PAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercyhurst University and PAFA? 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.

• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Mercyhurst University's (68%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than PAFA graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts graduates have a $198 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($26,500 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, PAFA graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($274 vs. $276).
• More PAFA 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.