At $27,263/yr net price, Mercyhurst University graduates earn $47,452/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,452/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,263 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $109,052 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,452/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,452/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,305 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,981/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,609/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,101/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,250/yr |
| $110,001+ | $31,992/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. | 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 |
The Risk Factor
58.7% of students at Mercyhurst 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
Mercyhurst University gives you a middling financial return. You pay $27,263 a year and land at $47,452 in median earnings a decade out, so the payoff is real but slow. The 58.7% graduation rate is the bigger risk here: if you take on the median $25,305 in debt and leave without a degree, you carry the cost without the earnings bump that makes it worth paying.
The major you pick decides everything. Nursing is the clear winner, clearing $60,000 and running well ahead of the school median. Computer and information sciences, accounting, and finance all land in the low $50,000s and pay off cleanly. Intelligence studies is a Mercyhurst calling card and lands near $49,000 with modest debt around $25,500. If you enroll in one of these fields, the numbers work in Erie's regional job market.
Watch the debt on nursing specifically. It carries the highest earnings but also the highest borrowing at nearly $36,000, more than $10,000 above the school median. The salary covers it, but you start deeper in the hole than a finance or intelligence graduate who earns nearly as much.
The net price tiers hold a trap for middle-income families. If your family earns $48,000 to $75,000, you pay more than families earning under $30,000, and the price climbs past $28,000 once you clear $75,000. The lowest-income tier gets the best deal at around $24,000. Families in the $48,000 to $110,000 band get the least help relative to what they pay.
Mercyhurst fits you if you commit to nursing, computing, accounting, finance, or intelligence and expect to finish. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-paying programs, the price and the 58.7% grad rate make this a gamble worth questioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercyhurst University worth the cost?
Mercyhurst's ROI depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn around $60,000 annually, making the $27,263 net price reasonable, but the overall 10-year median earnings of $47,452 are modest for the cost.
What are the best paying majors at Mercyhurst University?
Nursing programs at Mercyhurst offer the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning $52,000-$61,000 annually. Computer science and accounting also perform well, with starting salaries around $52,000 and $51,000 respectively.
How much debt do Mercyhurst University students typically graduate with?
Mercyhurst graduates carry a median debt of $25,305, which is manageable for nursing and tech majors but could be problematic for lower-paying fields. The 58% graduation rate means many students leave without a degree but still owe money.
Does Mercyhurst University provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $27,263, Mercyhurst's aid brings costs down from the full sticker price but still leaves most families paying a substantial amount. The 80% acceptance rate suggests merit aid may be limited.