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Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA·Private·www.mercyhurst.edu/

Campus Identity

Lake LifeNCAA D1Graduate Programs

Mercyhurst University is a small private nonprofit university in Erie, PA. Approximately 2,191 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 81% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Erie, just 3 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 17 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Mercyhurst University is a small private nonprofit university in Erie, PA. Approximately 2,191 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 81% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Lake Erie, just 3 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 17 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

81%
Acceptance Rate
3,567 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$45,770
2024-25 Tuition
$19,444
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$14,540
Room & Board
30 meals/week
2,191
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
20%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
60%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity81% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

Mercyhurst University is a 1,000–4,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics. The campus is 17 miles from Peek'n Peak Resort.

Athletics

NCAA D1

Northeast

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Urban setting

Ski Access

17 miles

Peek'n Peak Resort

Weather

Cold Climate

44°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Mercyhurst University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Peek'n Peak Resort, 17 miles away with 10 lifts and 110 skiable acres. All are within 47 miles of campus.

17 mi away
110 skiable acres10 lifts
18 mi away
40 skiable acres2 lifts
47 mi away

Lake Life Campus

Lake Erie is 3 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Mercyhurst University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Erie

Lake access within 2.8 miles

3 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Erie, PA

Erie has a cool climate, with winters averaging 28°F in Jan and summers peaking around 73°F in Jul.

28°Jan29°Feb36°Mar47°Apr59°May68°Jun73°Jul72°Aug65°Sep54°Oct44°Nov34°Dec

Station: ERIE INTERNATIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Mercyhurst University in PA earns a composite safety score of 50/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

50/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety358734
35/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
87/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
34/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$45,770
Fees
$2,930
Room & Board
$14,540
Total
$63,240
Meal Plan: 30 meals/week
$19,444avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

110 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingAssociate's
74 grads/yr$77,864
Intelligence, Command Control and Information OperationsBachelor's
59 grads/yr$86,597
Intelligence, Command Control and Information OperationsMaster's
54 grads/yr$107,254
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
33 grads/yr$58,112
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsCertificate
32 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Master's29 grads$124,378
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations
Master's54 grads$107,254
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations
Bachelor's59 grads$86,597
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's10 grads$86,596
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
Bachelor's20 grads$83,812
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Associate's74 grads$77,864
Political Science and Government
Bachelor's8 grads$76,154
Marketing
Bachelor's9 grads$74,187
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's14 grads$72,411
Biology, General
Bachelor's28 grads$65,000

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mercyhurst University located?

Mercyhurst University is located in Erie, PA. The main campus address is 501 E 38th St, Erie, PA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Mercyhurst University?

Mercyhurst University has an acceptance rate of 81%, making it accessible. Out of 3,567 applicants, 2,890 were admitted in the most recent year. 2,191 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Mercyhurst University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Mercyhurst University charges $45,770/year in tuition. Including room and board ($14,540/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $42,680/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,444/year — what students actually pay. Use Mercyhurst University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Does Mercyhurst University have college sports?

Yes — Mercyhurst University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Northeast. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Mercyhurst University the right fit for me?

Whether Mercyhurst University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (81% admit rate), avg net price ($19,444/year after aid), campus culture in Erie, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Mercyhurst University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Mercyhurst University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Erie, PA
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Certificates
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Northeast
School Year Weather
Cold · 44°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
50/100
Nearest Airport
Erie, PA (ERI) · 6 mialso JFN (40 mi), JHW (41 mi)

Location

Erie, PA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.