Misericordia University
Dallas, Pennsylvania · Private Nonprofit · 70.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 57/100 · Below Average Value
Misericordia University is a small private Catholic health-sciences-focused college in Dallas, Pennsylvania -- not to be confused with Dallas, Texas. With 1,672 students and a 70.9% admission rate, it is broadly accessible. The ROI score of 57 (Below Average Value) reflects a significant problem: the average net price is $37,485 per year, and that figure barely varies by income -- families across all income bands pay $36,000-$38,000. That is a red flag. Median earnings after six years sit at $45,100, and payback clocks at 9.9 years. Completion at 71.7% is above average for schools in this tier. The bright spot is the health programs cluster -- Nursing graduates (98 per year) earn $78,428 one year out, and Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment graduates (34 per year) earn $65,521. The school's debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.598 means the typical graduate carries debt close to 60% of annual earnings.
Misericordia University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $40,370/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $40,370/yr |
| Average net price | $37,485/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $149,940 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,313 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,973 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 9.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 71.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,672 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Misericordia University is $40,370/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $37,485/year, or roughly $149,940 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $36,759/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $37,665/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,973 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $64,313 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.60 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $36,759 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $37,554 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $36,848 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $37,879 |
| $110,001+ | $37,665 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $36,759/year. This is a serious problem. A low-income family financing four years at Misericordia faces approximately $147,000 in total costs, with most of that not covered by aid. For reference, this is more expensive than many public flagship universities for out-of-state students. If a low-income student is set on Misericordia's nursing program, the calculation may still pencil out -- but they need to model the debt carefully.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30-48k bracket pays $37,554/year and the 48-75k bracket pays $36,848/year -- essentially no change. The slope from low income to middle income is nearly flat. This means the school's aid model does not differentiate meaningfully between low-income and moderate-income families, which is unusual and worth scrutinizing. The 75-110k bracket pays $37,879/year -- still essentially flat. Families across a wide income range pay within $1,000 of each other annually.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $37,665/year -- nearly identical to every other income bracket. The effectively flat price structure means financial aid at Misericordia functions more as an enrollment discount than as income-based aid. High-income families pay about the same as low-income ones, which means the school relies heavily on merit aid that caps at similar levels. With a 9.9-year payback period and median earnings of $45,100 at six years, high-income families paying full net price should carefully model program-specific outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Misericordia University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $88,523 | B+ |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $68,418 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,833 | C |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $79,580 | B |
| Psychology | $72,572 | B+ |
| Biology | $78,107 | B+ |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $71,314 | C+ |
| Teacher Education | $42,793 | D |
| International Relations | $48,992 | D |
| Accounting | $71,798 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is the strongest program at Misericordia by both volume and earnings. With 98 graduates per year, it is the largest program on campus. One-year earnings hit $78,428, rising to $88,523 by year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.344 on $27,000 median debt earns a B+ ROI grade. Northeastern Pennsylvania has a substantial health care employer base including Geisinger and regional hospital systems, creating reliable placement pathways. Nursing graduates here face less geographic competition than those from urban schools, and the regional demand for RNs remains strong. The B+ grade reflects solid, if not exceptional, returns.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
The general Health Sciences program graduates 98 students per year, tying nursing as the campus's largest program. Four-year median earnings reach $68,418, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.395 on $27,000 debt -- earning a B grade. This program pathway feeds health administration, clinical coordination, and related roles across hospital and outpatient care settings. The broad scope of the degree means career trajectories vary, but the regional health care market provides steady demand. The B grade signals reasonable but not exceptional returns.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment graduates 34 students per year with strong early outcomes -- one-year earnings of $65,521 and four-year earnings of $79,580. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.412 on $27,000 debt earns a B grade. This cluster covers clinical fields such as medical imaging, clinical laboratory work, and diagnostic technology -- all areas with consistent demand from hospitals and outpatient clinics. The program sits at the second tier of health science ROI at Misericordia, behind nursing but well ahead of the business programs.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration graduates 46 students per year. One-year earnings of $41,076 and four-year earnings of $72,833 reflect a reasonable trajectory, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.657 on $27,000 debt earns only a C. In a rural/small-city Pennsylvania market, business graduates from Misericordia typically enter small and medium regional employers. The gap between health programs and business programs at this school is significant -- a business student paying the same net price as a nursing student faces a considerably longer payback window.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 76.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 75.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 75.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 70.9% |
| Enrollment | 1,672 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 27.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,504 |
Misericordia does not report SAT or ACT score ranges publicly. The school does not report selectivity data in the standard form. At a 70.9% admission rate, qualified applicants across a wide academic range are likely to be admitted. The school appears to focus on holistic review and program fit rather than standardized test scores.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Misericordia's peer group includes Albright College and Walsh University. All three schools operate in the small private Catholic/regional college space with similar enrollment profiles. Misericordia's flat, high net price across income bands is unusual -- most comparably sized schools offer more meaningful income-based differentiation. The 71.7% completion rate is above the national average and stronger than many peers in this tier. Misericordia's health science cluster is its distinguishing strength; without that, the ROI case for most programs here is difficult to make.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misericordia University (this school) | 57 | $37,485 | $64,313 |
| Walsh University | 58 | $20,493 | $59,764 |
| St. Francis College | 57 | $18,129 | $58,099 |
| Albright College | 56 | $20,024 | $58,700 |
| Southern Nazarene University | 55 | $22,084 | $54,951 |
| Bryn Athyn College of the New Church | 34 | $20,586 | $40,457 |
Who Thrives Here
The 70.9% admission rate and absence of SAT/ACT score data suggest Misericordia focuses on student readiness through other signals. The Pell rate of 27.2% reflects a moderate share of lower-income students. Students who fit best are those committed to health science careers -- nursing, allied health, and health administration -- where the program-level data is considerably stronger than the school's overall ROI. Students pursuing non-health programs face a harder financial case given the flat, high net price across income levels.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Misericordia University is mixed. At $37,485 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $64,313 ten years after entry - a payback period of 9.9 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 71.7% graduation rate. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost.
Median debt of $26,973 against $64,313 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.