Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Gwynedd Mercy University at a Glance
Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) is a private Catholic university in Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania, United States. It occupies a 160-acre (65-hectare) campus in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
1948
78 years old
2,017
1,301 undergrad · 716 grad
81
314 acres
Identity
Is Gwynedd Mercy University Worth It?
At a value score of 35/100, Gwynedd Mercy University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $67,145 — 25% above average — while paying $27,483/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Gwynedd Mercy University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Gwynedd Mercy University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in PA
Ranked #43 of 84 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 100 | $10,420 | $75,103 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #5 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #6 | Trinity Washington University | 67 | $9,302 | $53,804 |
| #43 | Gwynedd Mercy University | 35 | $27,483 | $67,145 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Gwynedd Mercy University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in PA.
Best Programs at Gwynedd Mercy University
The highest-earning program at Gwynedd Mercy University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $70,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $28,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Gwynedd Mercy University earns $70,400, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $28,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $27,483/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,400 | $70,400 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $55,600 | $55,600 | $26,181 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,600 | $40,600 | $31,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,000 | $28,000 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in PA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Gwynedd Valley, PA
- Student Body
- 1,067 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $27,483
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,145
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000