Mercy University

What Mercy University does

Mercy University is a private, non-profit higher education institution founded in 1950, headquartered at its Westchester campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York. It operates three physical campuses across the New York metropolitan area — Westchester (Dobbs Ferry, overlooking the Hudson River), Manhattan (Herald Square, 47 West 34th Street), and Bronx (Hutchinson Metro Center, 1200 Waters Place) — and delivers instruction across six academic schools: Business, Education, Health & Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Social & Behavioral Sciences. The university serves a horizontally segmented student population including first-time freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, international students, veterans, first-generation students, and student-athletes, with NCAA Division II athletics, residential life, and commuter-friendly infrastructure.

The university's core product is credit-bearing degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels, supported by a digital ecosystem built on Blackboard Ultra (LMS for online and hybrid course delivery), Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Forms), Zoom, and a proprietary student portal called Mercy Connect. IT operations are secured via enforced MFA (Microsoft Authenticator with number matching) and the MercyPass password management system; the IT environment also includes 'Mav AI' (an AI product with limited disclosed functionality) and 'Mav Market,' a technology resource hub. Specialized academic infrastructure includes the Catalyst Program for Bronx students, the McNair Scholars undergraduate research program, the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) for research grants, the Center for STEM Education, and 4+1 combined undergraduate/graduate accelerated pathways.

Mercy generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees across undergraduate and graduate programs, supplemented by philanthropic donations (including a $9M gift from the Suzanne McGraw Foundation), external grants and sponsored programs managed by OSP, and auxiliary services (residential life, dining, athletics, and the campus bookstore). It pursues a sales-led admissions motion through online applications, campus visits, virtual events, community partnerships (e.g., Latino U College Access), and corporate sponsorships, with distribution via direct campus enrollment, online learning through Blackboard Ultra, and dedicated transfer admission processes. Mercy holds Hispanic-Serving Institution designation, NC-SARA membership, and NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education accreditation, and was ranked #1 in New York by Newsweek in its 'America's Best Colleges for Women 2026.'

Name

Mercy University

Legal name

Mercy University

Website

https://mercy.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Mercy University is a private, non-profit higher education institution founded in 1950, operating three campuses across the New York metro area (Westchester, Manhattan, Bronx) and serving undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across six academic schools with a focus on access and affordability.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Law & Legal Studies Research Universities (EDAHABAF)

Keywords

• Higher education institution
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online learning platform
• Liberal arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dobbs Ferry

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Mercy University generates primary revenue from student tuition and fees across undergraduate and graduate programs. The institution offers financial aid, scholarships, and work-study programs to support student enrollment.
2. Philanthropic Donations: The university receives significant charitable contributions including the historic $9 million gift from the Suzanne McGraw Foundation for the Suzanne McGraw Scholars Program addressing regional teacher shortage.
3. Grants and Sponsored Programs: Mercy University receives external funding through grants for research, teaching, and related endeavors managed by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP).
4. Auxiliary Services: Revenue from campus services including residential life, dining services, athletics facilities, and campus bookstore.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Mercy University is a private, non-profit higher education institution offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across six academic schools (Business, Education, Health & Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Social & Behavioral Sciences). The university delivers instruction via three New York metropolitan area campuses (Westchester, Manhattan, Bronx) and through Blackboard Ultra-powered online learning, complemented by student support services, NCAA Division II athletics, and career development.

Product overview

Mercy University operates as a comprehensive higher education institution with multiple academic schools (Business, Education, Health & Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Social & Behavioral Sciences) and a unified platform of student services. Its core digital infrastructure consists of Mercy Connect (student portal), Blackboard (learning management system), and Mercy Online Learning (distance education via Blackboard Ultra). The university supports faculty through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and supports research through the Office of Sponsored Programs. Additional services include the Catalyst Program for student support, McNair Scholars Program for undergraduate research, and technology resources like Mav AI and Mav Market. The institution offers combined degree programs through 4+1 pathways and maintains three campus locations in the New York area (Westchester, Manhattan, Bronx).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• School of Business Business school offering undergraduate and graduate programs with specializations across business disciplines, including programs featured at sponsored events such as the Latin Biz Today Spectrum of Success.
• School of Education Education school offering teacher preparation programs, including the Suzanne McGraw Scholars Program for early childhood education addressing regional teacher shortage.
• School of Health & Natural Sciences Health and sciences school offering programs in nursing coordination, physician assistant studies, veterinary technology, and other health professions.
• School of Liberal Arts Liberal arts school providing degree programs in humanities, arts, and foundational academic disciplines as part of the university's undergraduate and graduate offerings.
• School of Nursing Dedicated nursing school offering comprehensive nursing education programs at various degree levels, designated as an NLN Center of Excellence in Nursing Education in 2025.
• School of Social & Behavioral Sciences Social and behavioral sciences school offering degree programs in psychology, sociology, and related behavioral science disciplines for undergraduate and graduate students.
• 4+1 Combined Programs Accelerated combined undergraduate and graduate programs allowing students to complete both bachelor's and master's degrees in five years across multiple academic disciplines.
• Mercy Online Learning Online and hybrid learning platform powered by Blackboard Ultra, providing distance education capabilities across all academic programs, accessible to students across New York State via NC-SARA membership.
• Catalyst Program Comprehensive support program for Bronx students providing academic support, mentorship, and resources to transform educational outcomes at the Bronx campus.
• Suzanne McGraw Scholars Program Scholarship and teacher preparation program for early childhood educators, established through a historic $9 million gift from the Suzanne McGraw Foundation, providing scholarships, work experience, and professional development for early childhood education degrees including special needs.
• Mercy Connect Student Portal Custom student portal providing access to academic records, registration, financial information, and university services, serving as the central hub for student administrative functions.
• Center for STEM Education Academic center leading student ocean literacy symposiums and STEM education initiatives, bringing together students from multiple schools across the New York region for STEM programming.

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Prospect-HQcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2026Prospect-HQ launched its career and hiring platform at Mercy University with an event attended by company leaders. The partnership focuses on connecting student-athletes to career opportunities nationwide, supporting their transitions from collegiate athletics to professional careers.
• Latino U College AccesscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025Mercy University and Latino U College Access announced a partnership to support first-generation students in pursuing higher education. The cooperation includes structured outreach, support programs, and financial aid efforts targeting talented students across Westchester County.
• SCOREminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025SCORE partnered with Mercy University School of Business as a sponsor at the Latin Biz Today Spectrum of Success event celebrating the Latino business community with panels on AI and business.
• Chase for BusinessminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025Chase for Business served as a sponsor at the Latin Biz Today Spectrum of Success event, an event supported by Mercy University featuring keynote speaker Carmit DiAndrea and discussions on leveraging AI for business growth.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Manhattan College: Lasallian Catholic comprehensive university in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, NYC. Directly comparable as a faith-affiliated private nonprofit serving the New York metropolitan area with undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple schools.
• Iona University: Catholic comprehensive university in New Rochelle, NY (Westchester County), minutes from Mercy's Dobbs Ferry campus. Similar faith heritage, similar size and program mix (business, education, nursing, liberal arts), competing for the same regional student pool.
• Molloy University: Catholic comprehensive university on Long Island, NY with a strong nursing program (similar to Mercy's NLN Center of Excellence designation) and comparable size. Directly comparable as a faith-affiliated, teaching-focused private nonprofit serving the New York metro region.
• Mount Saint Mary College: Catholic Dominican comprehensive university in Newburgh, NY (Hudson Valley), comparable to Mercy's own Dominican heritage. Similar program mix including nursing, education, and business; competes for the same Hudson Valley/Westchester student demographics.
• College of Mount Saint Vincent: Catholic college in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, NYC, comparable in size and faith heritage to Mercy. Offers similar undergraduate programs in nursing, education, and business, and competes in the same NYC metro market.

Broad incumbents

• Pace University: Larger private NYC university with multiple campuses (Manhattan, Westchester, Pleasantville) directly overlapping Mercy's geographic footprint. A broader incumbent with bigger program scale, particularly in business, that competes head-to-head for similar students.
• St. John's University: Large Catholic comprehensive university in Queens, NYC with extensive undergraduate and graduate programs. A broader incumbent in the NYC faith-affiliated higher education market, competing for similar student demographics but at significantly greater scale.
• CUNY (City University of New York): Large public university system serving the entire NYC metropolitan area. A broader incumbent that competes intensely on price for the same transfer, first-generation, and underserved student populations that Mercy targets, particularly in the Bronx and Manhattan campuses.

Emerging players

• Western Governors University: Large nonprofit online university offering competency-based degrees nationwide. An emerging player that competes for the same adult learner and transfer student segments that Mercy's NC-SARA-enabled online programs target, often at lower tuition.

Regional players

• Dominican University: Catholic Dominican comprehensive university in River Forest, IL (Chicago suburb). Comparable faith heritage, program mix, and teaching-focused positioning, but serving the Midwest rather than the Northeast USA market where Mercy operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mercyalumni
• Facebookfacebook.com/mercyuniversityny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mercy University