SUNY-Potsdam vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY College at Potsdam in Potsdam, NY with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College at Potsdam is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (2,832 students vs. 2,632 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY College at Potsdam is located in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• SUNY College at Potsdam is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY College at Potsdam 11:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SUNY-Potsdam 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 SUNY College at Potsdam than Mercyhurst University ($13,730 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercyhurst University are 4.8% lower than at SUNY College at Potsdam ($14,540 vs. $15,280).
• Mercyhurst University is 422% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-Potsdam (about $37,002 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $8,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 145% higher at Mercyhurst University than at SUNY College at Potsdam (about $27,092 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $18,678.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at SUNY College at Potsdam (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 204.6% larger than aid received by SUNY College at Potsdam students ($33,949 vs. $11,147).

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SUNY-Potsdam or Mercyhurst University? 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 Mercyhurst University and SUNY-Potsdam.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SUNY-Potsdam - Test optional; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Mercyhurst University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at SUNY-Potsdam (3.3).
• Mercyhurst University has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than SUNY-Potsdam (77.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10% at SUNY-Potsdam vs. 20.3% at Mercyhurst University.

SUNY-Potsdam vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SUNY-Potsdam and Mercyhurst University? 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.

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than SUNY College at Potsdam's (51%).
• Graduates from Mercyhurst University earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than SUNY-Potsdam graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,700 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College at Potsdam graduates have a $1,698 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-Potsdam graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($258 vs. $276).
• More SUNY-Potsdam graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercyhurst University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.