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Mercyhurst University
Erie, PA
Mercyhurst University is a private, comprehensive, liberal arts institution located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Established in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, the university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs. With a student population of approximately 3,000, Mercyhurst maintains a small and close-knit community where students receive personalized attention and support.
The university is known for its strong academic programs, particularly in fields such as intelligence studies, criminal justice, and archaeology. Mercyhurst has been recognized as one of the top schools in the nation for intelligence studies, offering specialized courses in terrorism, forensic science, and cybersecurity. Additionally, the university houses the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute, where students have the opportunity to participate in real archaeological digs and gain hands-on experience.
Beyond academics, Mercyhurst University emphasizes a well-rounded education that includes extracurricular activities and community engagement opportunities. The university offers over 50 student-run clubs and organizations, providing students with various ways to get involved and pursue their passions. Mercyhurst also has a strong athletic program, competing at the NCAA Division II level. The Lakers participate in a variety of sports, including ice hockey, lacrosse, basketball, and soccer, fostering school spirit and a sense of community among students. Overall, Mercyhurst University provides a holistic educational experience that prepares students for successful careers and active citizenship.
Located in Erie, PA and set in a suburban environment, Mercyhurst University is a private university. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at Mercyhurst University is 80% and the six-year graduation rate is 68%.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Mercyhurst University.
Quick Facts
2,446
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
88%
Acceptance Rate
$41,580
Tuition
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Learn some essential info about admission at Mercyhurst University.
In 2023, the school accepted 3,126 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.36. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Mercyhurst University was 80% in 2023, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect match for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Mercyhurst University in 2023 was 2,801.
That year, the institution had 48% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 2,446 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 106 international students. The school admitted a total of 51 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,018 male and 1,459 female full-time students in 2023. 84 full-time graduate men and 144 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 23 Asian students and 126 Afro-American students in 2023. 113 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 14 as multirace. There were also 168 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Mercyhurst University? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $41,580 in 2023. Since Mercyhurst University is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2023 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,930.
Books and Supplies
The approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial factor. Most students have to give about $1,200 for books and supplies during their time at Mercyhurst University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
At Mercyhurst University, the 2023 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,070. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2023 totaled $12,750 for one academic year.
| Tuition | $ 41,580 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,070 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 59,850 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Mercyhurst University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 400 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $33,680 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,490 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Mercyhurst University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 1,829. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $21,805,881, and state $3,580,510. The students of Mercyhurst University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $35,062,507, and external in the amount of $661,787.
$22,101
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,736 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2023. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 400 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $21,805,881 while the state aid is $2,694,807. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $7,969,344. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $178,776 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
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Majors
Faculty
15:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Mercyhurst University was 15:1: that means 15 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 98 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 112 men and 119 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Mercyhurst University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some information about students' life at Mercyhurst University.
It has a campus size of 88 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 82. The student organization that has the biggest membership is The Merciad (student newspaper), followed by Amnesty International and Admission Ambassadors. Other popular organizations among the students at Mercyhurst University are chorus and Student Government.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Mercyhurst University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Mercyhurst University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
At Mercyhurst University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Mercyhurst University.
All in all, campus life at Mercyhurst University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Mercyhurst University.
Career Counselling
At Mercyhurst University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Mercyhurst University is located in Erie, PA.
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Mercyhurst University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Mercyhurst University is 41,580 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Mercyhurst University is 88%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Mercyhurst University is 80%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.