Mercyhurst University Admissions

SAT Scores, Acceptance Rate, Financial Aid, Tuition, Graduation Rate & More

Mercyhurst University
Mercyhurst University. Soaptree / Flickr
by Allen Grove
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated October 17, 2017

Mercyhurst University Admissions Overview:

Mercyhurst has an acceptance rate of 75%. Students with good grades and strong applications are likely to be admitted to the school. To apply, students will need to submit an application, high school transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a writing sample. The school is test-optional. For complete instructions, including deadlines, be sure to visit Mercyhurst's website. The school has holistic admissions, so the admissions office takes many factors into account when determining  a student's admissions status. Campus visits to Mercyhurst are encouraged, so students can see if the school would be a good match for them.

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Admissions Data (2016):

Mercyhurst University Description:

Mercyhurst University is a Catholic liberal arts university with its main campus located in Erie, Pennsylvania, and four smaller campuses across the state. The 75-acre urban main campus sits on the outskirts of the city of Erie, just a few miles from Lake Erie and within two hours of several major cities including Cleveland, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. Mercyhurst has a student faculty ratio of 14 to 1, and most classes have fewer than 25 students. The university offers 50 undergraduate majors with 67 concentrations as well as eight graduate programs. Common undergraduate majors include business management, criminal justice and public health, while special education and organizational leadership are the most popular programs within the graduate school. Students are actively involved in cultural, spiritual and recreational extracurricular activities on campus, including over 85 clubs and organizations. The Mercyhurst Lakers compete in the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

The university fields 12 men's and 12 women's intercollegiate sports.

Enrollment (2016):

  • Total Enrollment: 2,784 (2,464 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 45% Male / 55% Female
  • 97% Full-time

Costs (2016 - 17):

  • Tuition and Fees: $34,580
  • Books: $1,200 (why so much?)
  • Room and Board: $11,624
  • Other Expenses: $1,811
  • Total Cost: $49,215

Mercyhurst University Financial Aid (2015 - 16):

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 100%
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 100%
    • Loans: 69%
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $25,853
    • Loans: $8,663

Academic Programs:

  • Most Popular Majors: Biology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, international Studies, Public Health

Graduation and Retention Rates:

  • First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 78%
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 60%
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 66%

Intercollegiate Athletic Programs:

  • Men's Sports: Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rowing, Water Polo, Wrestling, Baseball
  • Women's Sports: Ice Hockey, Soccer, Lacrosse, Field Hockey, Basketball

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

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