Acceptance Rate
90%
Avg. SAT
1186
75th percentile
“Compassion-centered Catholic university blending hands-on nursing, education, and service in wooded Pennsylvania suburbs.”
Gwynedd Valley, PA
Location
Gwynedd Mercy University traces its roots to 1948, when the Sisters of Mercy established it to train nurses and teachers on a then-rural site north of Philadelphia. Today, it carries forward that legacy through a faith-infused approach that stresses compassion, justice, and community service, drawing students who value personal connections and purposeful careers over big-name prestige. You'll find a tight-knit community of about 2,000 undergraduates on a serene 160-acre campus in affluent Gwynedd Valley, where professors know your name and service projects shape daily life. Students who thrive here seek a supportive environment with moral grounding and practical preparation; those chasing vast research opportunities or urban buzz might feel limited by the smaller scale and quieter suburbs.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
The university shines in health professions, especially its nursing program with clinical rotations starting early and high licensure pass rates that launch grads into hospitals quickly. Education and business tracks emphasize real-world skills through internships and small seminars, where you'll discuss cases in groups of 15-20 rather than anonymous lectures. Faculty prioritize mentoring over publish-or-perish research, fostering an intellectual culture of applied learning and ethical decision-making. Tradeoffs include fewer specialized majors and limited undergraduate research compared to larger schools, so ambitious STEM seekers might look elsewhere.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
1,301 undergrad • 716 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
White
55%
Black / African American
15%
Hispanic / Latino
7%
Asian
4%
Other / Multi-racial
19%
Campus Life
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life revolves around faith, friendships, and fun in a suburban setting—expect daily Masses, weekly club meetings, and weekend service trips alongside Griffins basketball games. Freshmen live on campus in traditional residence halls that build instant bonds, while upperclassmen often stay or commute from nearby apartments. A typical week mixes classes, volunteer shifts at local shelters, and relaxed hangouts at the Griffin Grill; the social scene stays tame, with mixers and themed dances rather than raging parties. Cold Pennsylvania winters and distance from Philadelphia mean you'll drive 30 minutes for city concerts or pro sports, and high suburban rents add up if living off-campus.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Atlantic East Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$18,621
$30K – $48K
$21,421
$48K – $75K
$26,575
$75K – $110K
$26,497
$110K+
$29,586
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
78%
4 Years Graduation Rate
68%
6 Years Graduation Rate
76%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$67,145
78% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Gwynedd Mercy University and return in the fall. 68% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 76% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
68%
4-5 years
8%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
23%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$36,791
Acceptance
90%
Undergrads
1,301
4-Year Grad Rate
68%
Endowment
$33M
Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0901