Empire State University vs. Mercyhurst University

Comparable Facts

Compare Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NY with Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Empire State University is larger than Mercyhurst University based on total student enrollment (10,469 students vs. 2,632 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Empire State University is located in Saratoga Springs, NY (Small Suburban setting); Mercyhurst University is in Erie, PA (Midsize City setting).
• Empire State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercyhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Empire State University 17:1; Mercyhurst University 14:1.

Empire State University vs. Mercyhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Empire State University 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 Empire State University than Mercyhurst University ($11,659 vs. $25,946).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Empire State University are 2.1% lower than at Mercyhurst University ($14,230 vs. $14,540).
• Mercyhurst University is 498.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Empire State University (about $38,122 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $7,648.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 160.7% higher at Mercyhurst University than at Empire State University (about $28,212 more per year; $45,770.00 vs. $17,558.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercyhurst University than at Empire State University (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercyhurst University students is 311.9% larger than aid received by Empire State University students ($33,949 vs. $8,243).

Empire State University vs. Mercyhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Empire State University 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 Empire State University.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Empire State University - Not reported; Mercyhurst University - Test-free.

Empire State University vs. Mercyhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Empire State University 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).

• Mercyhurst University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Empire State University's (19%).
• Graduates from Empire State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Mercyhurst University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $43,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Empire State University graduates have a $3,448 lower median loan debt than Mercyhurst University graduates ($23,250 vs. $26,698).
• Among borrowers, Empire State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercyhurst University graduates ($240 vs. $276).
• More Mercyhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Empire State University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 44%)

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.