Mercy College

Higher Learning in Dobbs Ferry

Mercy College appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Spanish Degrees Online. Unlike many top colleges in the United States, Mercy College is much younger, having been founded in 1950. Nevertheless, it is a respected institution with a highly rated online study program that has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report. The college has a strong religious tradition, as well, from its history with the Sisters of Mercy. The college provides undergraduate degree programs in business, education, Spanish, health and natural sciences, liberal arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

About Mercy College

For the last 68 years, Mercy College has expanded its offerings. Founded as it was by the Sisters of Mercy, the college began life as a school for girls. In the years following the 1968 accreditation by the Middle States Association’s Commission on Higher Education, the school became co-educational and began to focus on nonsectarian education. Mercy College kept its strong religious ties, however, and nuns still teach there. The school operates as a nonprofit organization, as well, and has strong ties to various charities. Since 1981, Mercy College offers graduate programs in several fields, including nursing, psychology, physical education, and special education, among others. The only doctoral program is in physical education. The student body is two-thirds female, and more than three-quarters of the students live off-campus. Education at Mercy College is intimate because the student-to-faculty ratio is only 17-to-1. In fact, more than half of the offered classes contain fewer than 20 students. Fewer than 1 percent of classes contain more than 50 students. Undergraduates number just about 7,000, and the total enrollment is a shade more than 10,000. Mercy College has also been chosen as a “best lifetime return on investment” by the website Affordable Colleges Online. Through its efforts in helping nontraditional students, the college has also earned special recognition from the American Council on Education. Only eight other schools in the country share this distinction. The college is student-centric and offers a nationally recognized program called PACT, which stands for Personalized Achievement Contract. The program involves a mentoring program and being mindful of the college experience. Students’ mentors help not only with schoolwork but also with financial aid, career preparation in students’ chosen fields, and even conflict resolution.

Accreditations

Mercy College has earned 11 accreditations from various agencies, educational institutions, and other entities. They are:

• Occupational Therapy Education, by the Accreditation Council of the American Occupational Therapy Association
• Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant
• Physical Therapy Education, by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Physical Therapy Association
• Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
• Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• National Association of School Psychologists
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Additionally, the college is a member of 37 organizations dedicated to higher learning and provides students with memberships in 14 national honor societies. Two programs have received approval instead of accreditation: cybersecurity defense education and paralegal studies.

Mercy College Application Requirements

Students have three choices when it comes to applying for Mercy College. They can download a printable application form, fill it out, and return it to the Office of Admissions. Alternatively, they can request an application be mailed to them. The quickest way, however, is to fill out the online application. The college also offers flexibly timed programs for active-duty and reserve military personnel. Mercy College believes in a holistic approach to accepting students. Unlike many colleges, students don’t have to complete either the SAT or the ACT, which are considered optional. The college evaluates more than simple numbers like grades and test scores. It takes student leadership into consideration, along with community involvement, extracurricular development, and the ability to contribute positively to campus life at Mercy College. Some programs require additional documentation, an interview, or both.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition, as of 2018, is $9,200 per term, and the registration fee is $321 per term. Part-time students, who take fewer than 12 credits per term, must pay $774 per credit for undergraduate courses. The following fields of study have additional fees:

• Computer arts and design, $800 per term for full-time, $400 for part-time
• Media studies, $150 per term for full-time, $75 for part-time
• Music industry and technology, $900 per term for full-time, $450 for part-time
• Nursing, first year, $125 per term
• Nursing, second year, $460 per term
• Nursing, third year, $375 per term
• Nursing, fourth year, $400 per term
• Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, $62.50 per term

Clinical lab science, fourth year, $300 per term Graduate tuition is exclusively paid per credit. The most expensive program is the Physician Assistant Program, which costs $1,001 per credit. The other 17 programs cost either slightly less or slightly more than $900 per term. There are also program fees and other assorted costs with each field of study. Mercy College itself grants scholarships to students who qualify, and these include the cost of tuition, books, and fees. The program is called the Mercy Scholars Program. It also considers an applicant’s persistence, financial need, and eligibility for full PELL, full TAP, or both. Students may also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Besides PELL, there are other grants for which students may apply. These are based on socioeconomic status, academic qualifications, field of study, and many other criteria and characteristics. Enterprising students may also work on campus as part of a federal work-study program or on their own. Students are encouraged to investigate all possible avenues for funding should they not have the requisite cash to pay the tuition and fees. Mercy College mentors through the PACT program can assist with form filling, required document gathering, and all of the other steps involved with successfully applying to Mercy College.

Related Resources:

20 Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration Degrees Online

20 Most Affordable Online Language Degrees

30 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration at Private Colleges

30 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Nursing Degrees from Private Colleges