At $15,770/yr net price, Mercy University graduates earn $52,055/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,055/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,770 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $63,080 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,055/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,055/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,637 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,092/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,487/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,042/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,273/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,124/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 | $124,271 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $113,850 | $114,337 |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $108,649 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $101,964 | $40,980 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $97,959 | $10,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $78,971 | $113,348 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $75,706 | $25,625 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $73,446 | $83,590 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $67,420 | $61,500 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $66,461 | $31,027 |
The Risk Factor
48.1% of students at 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
Mercy University's ROI depends almost entirely on what you study. The nursing program is the whole story: it pays nearly $98,000 ten years out while carrying the lowest debt of any program here, around $10,500. Come out a nurse and you're set. Come out with almost anything else and the math gets shaky.
The gap is brutal. Nursing grads earn more than double what business, legal studies, or veterinary biomedical grads make, and those programs pile on far more debt. Veterinary biomedical students borrow $26,500 to reach a $44,542 salary. Business grads borrow $22,000 for under $40,000. Legal studies and homeland security land in the same range. You're paying nursing-level tuition for below-median-earner outcomes.
The school-wide median earnings sit close to the New York cost of living, which is a problem given Dobbs Ferry's expensive metro job market. A salary that works in a cheaper region stretches thin around New York City.
The bigger financial risk is finishing at all. Fewer than half of students graduate, and one in four freshmen don't return for year two. If you borrow, start a non-nursing major, and leave without a degree, you carry debt with no credential to pay it back.
Net price climbs steeply with income. Families under $30,000 pay about $13,000. families over $110,000 pay $23,000. If your family earns above $75,000, run the four-year total against your intended major's earnings before committing.
Mercy is a good financial fit if you're set on nursing. The debt is low, the pay is high, and the return is clear. If you're aiming at business, legal studies, or the sciences, the debt-to-earnings ratio here should push you to compare cheaper options or public alternatives first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercy University worth the cost?
Mercy University offers decent value for nursing and healthcare students, with graduates in these fields earning $97,000-$124,000 within 10 years. However, the overall graduate earning average of $52,055 is below the national median, and the 48% graduation rate indicates many students don't complete their programs.
What programs at Mercy University have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Mercy University deliver strong returns, with graduates earning $97,000-$124,000 annually. Allied health and bioethics programs also perform well, with earnings ranging from $108,000-$114,000.
How much debt do Mercy University students typically graduate with?
Mercy University graduates carry a median debt of $19,637, which is manageable for nursing and healthcare graduates but may be challenging for students in lower-paying fields. The relatively low net price of $15,770 per year helps keep debt levels reasonable.
What are the risks of attending Mercy University?
The biggest risk is Mercy University's 48% graduation rate, meaning over half of students don't finish their degrees. Students outside of nursing and healthcare programs face lower earning potential that may not justify the cost.