Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Dobbs Ferry, New York
85.5% Acceptance Rate
Mercy University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
85.5%Acceptance Rate
3.19Avg GPA
1125Avg SAT
$32,391Annual Cost
$52,055Grad Salary
47.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
85.5%
Avg GPA
3.19
Avg SAT
1125
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1085–1155
Need-Based Aid
47.3% receive Pell
Mercy University is a private institution in New York known for its commitment to accessible, student-centered education. With a focus on career preparation and personalized mentorship, the university provides a supportive environment that helps a diverse student body achieve their academic and professional potential.
Mercy University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Mercy University is inclusive by design: 85.5% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 85.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.19 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.74
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Mercy University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mercy University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Mercy reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2026/03/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Mercy GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Mercy is 3.19. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.89–3.19 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.39–3.59.Mercy GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.19 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.99 – 3.18
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.79 – 2.98
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.78
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Renamed from Mercy College to Mercy University in August 2023; same accreditation (Middle States), EIN, campus locations, and website (mercy.edu).
- No personal essay or letter of recommendation required for First-Year general admission; test-optional/flexible with self-reported scores accepted.
- Competitive programs (e.g., Physical Therapy) require a separate essay, faculty interview, and GRE scores beyond general admission.
- Mercy Scholars Program offers a full four-year ride (tuition, books, fees) for qualified incoming high school students; the Catalyst Program provides added financial and mentoring support for eligible students.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Mercy
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Mercy University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Mercy University (Mercy) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Mercy — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Mercy Without SAT or ACT?
Mercy neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Mercy University Average SAT Score: 1125
Admitted students at Mercy University average a 1125 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1125 — Less Competitive
A 1125 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1155 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Mercy University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1085? A retake is worth it at Mercy — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1125 | 1085 | 1155 |
A score under 1085 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1155+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Mercy University (Mercy) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Mercy's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Mercy
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Mercy takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Know That "Mercy University" and "Mercy College" Refer to the Same Institution - Search Accordingly
Mercy College became Mercy University in August 2023 after New York State changed its criteria for university status; the website (mercy.edu), accreditation, EIN, and campus locations (Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, Manhattan) all stayed the same. Older financial aid documents, forum posts, and transcripts may still say "Mercy College" - treat these as fully current and interchangeable rather than assuming outdated or unrelated information.
Skip Essay-Polishing for General Admission, But Prepare One for Physical Therapy or Similarly Competitive Programs
Mercy's First-Year application requires no personal essay and no letter of recommendation for general admission - GPA and transcript carry the weight. But competitive programs like Physical Therapy require a dedicated essay explaining your motivation for the field, plus a faculty interview and GRE scores, layered on top of the general application. Confirm early which category your intended major falls into so you're not caught unprepared for a program-specific essay and interview close to a deadline.
Apply to the Mercy Scholars Program If You're a Strong High School Junior or Senior - It's a Full-Ride, Not Just a Discount
Mercy explicitly encourages qualified high school students to apply for the Mercy Scholars Program, which covers tuition, books, and fees for all four years - a full-ride, not a partial award. Given Mercy's already-low sticker price (as low as $892/credit), stacking this scholarship on top makes a genuinely selective, high-value pursuit worth the extra application effort well before senior year ends.
Use the Catalyst Program's 360-Degree Mentoring If You're a First-Generation or Underrepresented Applicant
Mercy's Catalyst Program pairs institutional know-how with financial support and comprehensive mentoring specifically designed to jumpstart college careers for students who might otherwise face early academic risk. If your profile fits (first-generation, need-based, or historically underrepresented in higher ed), ask admissions directly about Catalyst eligibility during your application - it isn't automatically flagged from a general application alone.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat all Mercy University majors as having the same lightweight, essay-free application Mercy is known for - but competitive health-science programs like Physical Therapy require a full separate gauntlet (essay, GRE scores, faculty interview) layered on top of general admission, and discovering this late, after assuming the general "no essay required" policy applies universally, can cost an applicant a full admissions cycle.
Mercy Profile
Full Name
Mercy University (Mercy)
City
Dobbs Ferry
State
New York
ZIP Code
10522
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Mercy Degree Worth It?
Whether Mercy is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $57,700, and graduates see a 5.29% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Mercy Cost?
Listed tuition runs $32,391/year at Mercy; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Mercy, 47.3% receive a Pell Grant and 48.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Mercy on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Mercy Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Mercy graduates report a median income of $52,055, about 28% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Mercy University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Mercy University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Mercy University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Mercy
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Mercy Admissions
Mercy University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $52,055/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Mercy University is moderate, around $32,391/year; many students supplement with aid.
47.3% of Mercy University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Mercy University's acceptance rate is 85.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Mercy University students is 3.19, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.89 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Mercy University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.79 or below makes admission tougher at Mercy University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Mercy University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1125, and within the 1085–1155 range, keeps you competitive.
Mercy University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before Merit scholarship priority: 2026/03/01 — that's Mercy University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all New York Colleges
Average SAT Score of New York Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in New York
Bachelor Programs in New York
Test Optional Colleges in New York
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in New York