Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Mercyhurst

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College and Mercyhurst University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State Behrend is a four-year, public school located in Erie, PA and Mercyhurst is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Erie, PA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Penn State Behrend is a public and Mercyhurst is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Mercyhurst has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,770) than Penn State Behrend ($26,958).
  • It is harder to admit to Mercyhurst than Penn State Behrend.
  • Penn State Behrend has more students with 3,336 students while Mercyhurst has 2,632 students.
  • Penn State Behrend has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Mercyhurst's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 256 faculties while Mercyhurst has 131 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend Collegevs.Mercyhurst University
Erie, PennsylvaniaLocationErie, Pennsylvania
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (medium programs)
In-State$15,972
Out-Of-State$26,958
2025 Tuition & Fees$45,770
74%% Receiving Financial Aid93%
$11,249Average Amount of Financial Aid$30,789
96.83 %Acceptance Rates81.02 %
14.52 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.35 %
1,220SAT Score-
27ACT Score-
44 %Graduation Rate60 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate11 %
83 %Retention Rate80 %
3,336Student Population2,632
256Number of Faculties131
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services