Pitzer vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pitzer College in Claremont, CA with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercyhurst University is larger than Pitzer based on total student enrollment (2,632 students vs. 1,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pitzer College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Pitzer College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pitzer College 10:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Pitzer vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitzer 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 Pitzer ($25,946 vs. $34,979).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 34.4% lower than at Pitzer College ($14,540 vs. $22,150).
• Pitzer College is 42.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercyhurst University (about $19,422 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at Pitzer than at Mercyhurst University (about $19,422 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $45,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Pitzer College (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pitzer College students is 51.7% larger than aid received by Mercyhurst University students ($51,487 vs. $33,949).

Pitzer vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitzer 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 Pitzer.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitzer - Test-free; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pitzer Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitzer students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Mercyhurst University (3.36).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than Pitzer (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at Pitzer vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

Pitzer vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitzer 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).

• Pitzer College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Mercyhurst University's (68%).
• Graduates from Pitzer College earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pitzer College graduates have a $10,803 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($15,895 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Pitzer graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($164 vs. $276).
• More Pitzer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.