Best Mercy colleges
Catholic colleges in the Mercy higher-education tradition, ranked by Compass Score.
9 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Member institution of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education, per the association's membership (data/supplement/traditions.json).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Mass 3–4 weekdays
- 2
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Mass every weekday
- 3
Mercyhurst University
Erie, PA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Mass 1–2 weekdays
- 4
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Mass 1–2 weekdays
- 5
Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Mass 1–2 weekdays
- 6
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- 7
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Mass every weekday
- 8
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CT · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- 9
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit- Member of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education
- Mass 1–2 weekdays
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Ambrose University | $24,691 | $25,000 | $59,531 | 61% |
| University of Detroit Mercy | $15,232 | $23,250 | $71,030 | 67% |
| Mercyhurst University | $19,444 | $25,305 | $47,452 | 60% |
| Mount Mercy University | $20,168 | $23,699 | $60,787 | 58% |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | $27,483 | $25,000 | $67,145 | 57% |
| Mount Aloysius College | $22,344 | $24,287 | $46,165 | 57% |
| Carlow University | $20,786 | $25,500 | $51,051 | 60% |
| University of Saint Joseph | $27,989 | $27,000 | $59,908 | 64% |
| Saint Xavier University | $10,970 | $22,223 | $58,656 | 57% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.