Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 61.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 58.7%
- Retention Rate
- 77.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $47,452
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,305
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.5%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $268/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $60,771 | $35,883 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,562 | $21,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,107 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $50,856 | |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations. | Bachelor | $49,464 | $25,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $48,432 | $26,269 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $41,565 | $18,584 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $26,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $41,565 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $41,007 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $39,369 | $26,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $26,836 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor | $37,208 | $26,000 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $26,950 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $32,658 | $26,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Mercyhurst graduates earn a median of $47,452 within ten years of leaving campus. The typical monthly loan payment of $268 consumes about 6.8% of that median income, which falls within a manageable range for most borrowers. With median debt at $25,305, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of roughly 0.5, indicating reasonable borrowing relative to earning potential. The university's strong intelligence studies program feeds graduates into government agencies and security firms, while its broad liberal arts foundation opens doors across multiple sectors. The 95.9% employment rate demonstrates solid career outcomes. The loan repayment rate of 53.54% suggests some graduates struggle with debt obligations, but overall financial returns represent an average investment for a private Catholic education.