Mercyhurst College

Mercyhurst University is a fully accredited, four-year, Catholic, liberal arts institution founded in 1926 by the Sisters of Mercy, who worked hard to make the college and the Erie community a better place. Today, Mercyhurst has evolved considerably. The university is home to more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students immersed in more than 50 undergraduate majors with 67 concentrations, as well as unique adult programs and nine graduate degrees.

In addition, Mercyhurst University offers 24 varsity level sports, all of which are competitive in either NCAA Division I or II. Furthermore, the university maintains its associate degree programs at a campus in scenic North East, just 20 minutes from Erie. And in the spirit of our founders, Mercyhurst continues to play an important role in the community. Inspired by our motto, “Carpe Diem” (seize the day), our faculty and students are busy making a difference on and off campus – from “the Hill” to the far corners of the world.

Such dreams and realities engage every Catholic university. They make a particular appeal to Mercy universities founded by the Sisters of Mercy, who have committed their lives and works to serving those who are poor, sick and uneducated. The inspiration expressed in Gaudium et Spes, therefore, lies at the heart of our identity and mission. A Mercyhurst education aims at engaging students for life and at creating leaders in justice and service. In a time of much social change and challenge, this inspiration clarifies our vision of the specific character of our Catholic Mercy University.

Our inspiration leads us to topics of study and engages our perspectives in learning, research and scholarly endeavors. Such inspiration provides the basis of the social-justice dimension of many of our academic and service programs. Indeed, such inspiration directs the goals of our university. We desire to share this inspiration with those who come through our gates, seeking academic excellence, professional expertise, and a future full of hope.

Mercyhurst University seeks to be a leading higher educational institution that integrates excellence in the liberal arts, professional and career-path programs, and service to regional and world communities.

Consistent with its Catholic identity and Mercy heritage, Mercyhurst University educates women and men in a culture where faith and reason flourish together, where the beauty and power of the liberal arts combine with an appreciation for the dignity of work and a commitment to serving others. Confident in the strength of its student-faculty bonds, the university community is inspired by the image of students whose choices, in life and work, will enable them to realize the human and spiritual values embedded in everyday realities and to exercise leadership in service toward a just world.

Since its founding in 1926, Mercyhurst has prided itself on providing a premier, affordable liberal arts education blended with real-world, hands-on experience necessary for professional preparation. Today, Mercyhurst educates more than 2,000 undergraduate students in 60 academic programs on the university's beautiful, 75-acre Erie campus.

Mercyhurst University graduate programs provide students with engaging learning experiences and unrivaled access to faculty. Mercyhurst offers some of the region's best graduate programs in criminal justice administration, data science, organizational leadership, physician assistant studies, secondary education and special education and applied disability studies. We also offer the nation's top graduate programs in applied intelligence and forensic and biological anthropology.

Mercyhurst's calendar and core curriculum make transferring convenient and accessible. Mercyhurst accepts courses from most accredited institutions. Your transfer counselor will help you evaluate your academic plan to ensure that transferring doesn't slow down your time to graduation.

Mercyhurst North East, located on 84 acres in scenic North East, Pennsylvania, is home to the university's certificate and two-year (associate degree) programs. A certificate or degree from Mercyhurst North East is a great first step toward the start of a bachelor's degree, or to find immediate employment for today's in-demand careers.

Mercyhurst University's premier academic programs, tight academic community, and strong faculty-student relationships attract students from around the world. Today, students from more than 50 countries are represented on our Erie campus. It's no wonder that U.S. News & World Report ranks Mercyhurst as one of the most globally diverse campuses in the region.

Veteran students enjoy a supportive and engaging experience with understanding faculty and dedicated resources. Our Veterans Services Program Manager can help you evaluate your benefits, process your enrollment, and advise you during your education. Mercyhurst participates in the Yellow Ribbon Military Tuition Assistance programs and complies with Principles of Excellence.

Whether you're beginning college for the first time or picking up again after a few years off, Mercyhurst provides educational opportunities for adult students that promise the flexibility you need, the quality you expect and a price you can afford. Adult students automatically qualify for reduced tuition.

With over 50 undergraduate programs, eight graduate programs, and a variety of post-baccalaureate and advanced certificates, Mercyhurst University's academic offerings rival those of bigger institutions while preserving the strong student and faculty relationships from such a robust, engaged community.