Salem State University vs. Mercy

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA with Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy University is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (8,991 students vs. 6,230 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); Mercy University is in Dobbs Ferry, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Salem State University 12:1; Mercy University 16:1.

Salem State University vs. Mercy Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University or Mercy? 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 Salem State University ($15,200 vs. $17,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy University are 9.4% lower than at Salem State University ($15,250 vs. $16,838).
• Mercy University is 85.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem State University (about $10,542 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $12,338.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.1% higher at Mercy than at Salem State University (about $3,349 more per year; $22,880.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy University than at Salem State University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy University students is 71.2% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($17,664 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. Mercy Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University or Mercy? 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 Mercy and Salem State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mercy University (1130) is 50 points higher than at Salem State University (1080).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Salem State University 990/1160; Mercy University 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy University 21/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; Mercy - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercy students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Mercy (85.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 14.3% at Mercy.

Salem State University vs. Mercy Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University and Mercy? 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).

• Salem State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Mercy University's (31%).
• Graduates from Salem State University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Mercy graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,400 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy University graduates have a $301 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($23,699 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($245 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.