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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.
Mercyhurst University is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Erie, PA. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 81%. The freshman retention rate at Mercyhurst University is 79.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 66%.
Here are some important information on important things to consider about Mercyhurst University.
Quick Facts
2,274
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$44,340
Tuition
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
66%
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. What are the admission requirements for Mercyhurst University?
According to the newest information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 2,890 in 2025.
Test Scores
28% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 12% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 5% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 37% between 1,200 and 1,399, 44% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 14% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 26, 44 between 24-29, 29 in the range between 18-23, and 1 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.55. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Mercyhurst University.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. 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.
The freshman retention rate for Mercyhurst University was 79.5% in 2025, a reflection of the high standards and excellent educational experience 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. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 66%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Mercyhurst University in 2025 was 2,632.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 41.5. There was a total of 2,274 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 126 international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 96.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,022 male and 1,346 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. An inclusive student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Mercyhurst University.
This school had 34 Asian students and 162 Afro-American students in 2025. 116 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 3 as multirace. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 7 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 123 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Mercyhurst University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Mercyhurst University estimated tuition fees.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $44,340 in 2025. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $2,930 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to spend 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. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Mercyhurst University was $13,288 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 was $5,946 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $450.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 44,340 |
| Room and Board | $ 13,288 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 58,828 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid available at Mercyhurst University.
According to the most recent data, 435 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $37,442.65.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
1,477 students obtained 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 found to be 1,506. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $5,339,735, and state $3,287,128. The students of Mercyhurst University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $33,945,519, and external in the amount of $747,225.
$21,069
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. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
272 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2025. 92 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $5,339,735 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $855,064. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $13,881,244. 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 $362,418 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
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Mercyhurst University was 14:1: that means 14 students per one teacher. According to the most recent information, there are 237 faculty members at this school. This number included 106 men and 131 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
It is not all about learning and grades at Mercyhurst University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Mercyhurst University.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Students who like music can join the Mercyhurst University band or chorus. Interested in media and communication? Mercyhurst University publishes its own newspaper.
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
There are a job bank and job fairs. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. 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, you would need to pay about 44,340 USD per academic year for Mercyhurst University.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Mercyhurst University is 81%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Mercyhurst University is 79.5%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 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 © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
