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. Its campus spans 88 acres. This academic institution uses 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%.
Read more about what Mercyhurst University has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
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
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Check out some important 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 student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2023, the freshman retention rate for Mercyhurst University was 80%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2023, the institution enrolled 2,801 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 48% for that year. There was a total of 2,446 students working towards bachelor's degrees, including 106 international students. 51 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 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. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 23, and the number of Afro-American students was 126. 113 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 14 identified with more than one race. There were also 168 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Mercyhurst University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition in 2023 was $41,580 for full-time domestic students. As Mercyhurst University is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $2,930 in 2023.
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant expense. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
At Mercyhurst University, the 2023 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,070. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school stood at $12,750, according to the data from 2023.
Tuition | $ 41,580 |
Room and Board | $ 17,070 |
Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
Total Expense | $ 59,850 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial aid for students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at Mercyhurst University.
According to the most recent data, 400 freshmen were awarded financial aid. 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 acquired 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 ended up being 1,829. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $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. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
1,736 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2023. 400 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $21,805,881 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $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. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $178,776 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
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. The faculty of this school consists of 98 members, according to the most recent data reported. Out of that number, there were 112 male and 119 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has 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 details about students' life at Mercyhurst University.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
There are 82 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is The Merciad (student newspaper), followed by Amnesty International and Admission Ambassadors. Other popular student organizations at this school are chorus and Student Government.
Those who like music can join the Mercyhurst University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for 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.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There is a 24-hour security patrol. There is a health 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 everything most students need.
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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According to the latest information, the tuition for Mercyhurst University is 41,580 USD a year.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Mercyhurst University is 88%.
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The most recent reported 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.