At $27,141/yr net price, Gwynedd Mercy University graduates earn $67,145/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,145/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,141 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $108,564 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,145/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,145/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,013/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,879/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,170/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,454/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,701/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $86,867 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $75,011 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $61,144 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $58,402 | $30,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $26,820 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $25,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $41,565 | $25,575 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $27,000 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $39,369 | $32,124 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $28,816 | $25,500 |
The Risk Factor
58.5% of students at Gwynedd Mercy University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Gwynedd Mercy University pays off if you study nursing, and the math gets shakier for almost everything else. Nursing graduates earn $75,011 ten years out against $25,000 in debt, which is the kind of return that clears your loans fast and justifies the sticker price. Allied health lands you at $57,318, a solid second-tier outcome for the same debt load. The regional Philadelphia-area healthcare market backs this up: hospitals and clinics hire these credentials directly.
The problem is the gap below those two. Teacher education, business administration, and criminal justice all leave you with debt in the $25,000 to $27,000 range while paying far less. Criminal justice is the worst deal here at $28,816 a year, barely above what you borrowed. Business administration at $41,565 carries the highest debt of any program on the list, so you take on more and earn less than the nursing students sitting next to you.
The financial risk is concentration. This is a nursing and health school, and the non-health majors do not carry their weight financially. A 58.5% graduation rate is another risk: if you borrow and leave without the degree, you hold the debt without the earnings.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay $30,701, which is less than the $32,454 charged to families in the $75,000 to $110,000 band. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay about $20,000, the best deal available here.
Come here for nursing or allied health, especially if your family income is under $48,000. If you want business, education, or criminal justice, price out cheaper options before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gwynedd Mercy University worth the money?
Gwynedd Mercy University can be worth it if you're pursuing nursing, which pays $75,000-$87,000 annually and makes up their strongest programs. For other majors, the $27,141 annual cost may not justify the $67,145 average earnings, especially with a 58% graduation rate.
What programs at Gwynedd Mercy University have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Gwynedd Mercy University offer the strongest return, with graduates earning $61,000-$87,000 depending on specialization. Business and allied health programs show weaker outcomes at $57,000-$58,000 annually.
How much student debt do Gwynedd Mercy University graduates typically have?
Gwynedd Mercy University graduates carry a median debt of $25,000, which is manageable for nursing majors but potentially problematic for lower-earning programs. The relatively low debt load compared to the net price suggests decent financial aid availability.
Does Gwynedd Mercy University have a good graduation rate?
Gwynedd Mercy University's 58% graduation rate is below average for four-year colleges. This means 4 out of 10 students don't finish their degree, adding financial risk to your investment.