Academic Comparison between Penn State Behrend and Mercyhurst University

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 University 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 University is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Mercyhurst University has more expensive tuition & fees ($44,510) than Penn State Behrend ($26,668).
  • It is harder to admit to Mercyhurst University than Penn State Behrend.
  • Penn State Behrend has more students with 3,295 students while Mercyhurst University has 2,801 students.
  • Penn State Behrend has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Mercyhurst University's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Penn State Behrend has more full-time faculties with 286 faculties while Mercyhurst University has 127 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Penn State Behrend Mercyhurst University
Vote to see the other's choices.

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$15,944
Out-Of-State$26,668
2024 Tuition & Fees$44,510
74%% Receiving Financial Aid95%
$10,004Average Amount of Financial Aid$29,009
95.71 %Acceptance Rates83.23 %
18.74 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)19.60 %
1,210SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
42 %Graduation Rate63 %
25 %Transfer-out Rate25 %
82 %Retention Rate80 %
3,295Student Population2,801
286Number of Faculties127
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