GMercyU Named an "Opportunity University" for Student Access, Earnings
Gwynedd Mercy University is ranked as a top "Opportunity College and University" in the new Student Access and Earnings Classification by the Carnegie Foundation. This classification measures both earnings after college and the accessibility of a college education regardless of socioeconomic background.
GMercyU is among only 16% of the nation's colleges and universities designated as a "Higher Access, Higher Earnings" institution and one of 32 Pennsylvania colleges (out of the 300+) named in the rankings.
The Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation was jointly created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education in their Student Access and Earnings Classification. The methodology considers whether institutions provide access to a student body reflective of the communities they serve, including students from lower socioeconomic and underrepresented backgrounds, and whether their students go on to earn competitive wages and salaries.
"Gwynedd Mercy University’s commitment to providing equitable access to education is rooted in our founding. This designation is a testament to GMercyU’s ability to prepare Distinctive Mercy Graduates who do well and do good," said Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD, President of GMercyU. "Being named an 'Opportunity University' recognizes our commitment to living our Mercy mission."
The national recognition comes at a momentous time in GMercyU’s history. At GMercyU, 58% of incoming undergraduate students in Fall 2024 identified as first-generation and 100% of first-time, full-time students receive some form of financial aid, including scholarships.
GMercyU's Mercy in Motion comprehensive campaign includes a focus on providing additional scholarship support to students. In fact, 43 new scholarships have been established since the campaign’s start in January 2022 with more than $4M raised to support new and existing scholarships.
This intentional commitment to supporting access to a high-quality college education has helped GMercyU experience two years of double-digit growth in the number of new incoming students and the highest number of admitted students in two decades for the upcoming fall semester.
The incoming 2025 class will be the first group of new students to utilize GMercyU’s new Frances M. Maguire '55 Healthcare Innovation Center. Made possible, in part, by a $10 million transformational gift from the Maguire Foundation, this future state-of-the market hub of healthcare innovation and education will address the urgent need for more healthcare professionals. Here, healthcare majors will collaborate in interprofessional teams with Social Work, Psychology, Respiratory Care, and students in other majors to learn how to advocate for the “whole” patient, a best practice in healthcare.
Other recent campus enhancements include interior and exterior renovations to residence halls, new eateries on campus, and renovations to the baseball and softball fields and Griffin (Athletic) Complex.
GMercyU also remains focused on launching new market-driven programs and expanding existing programs. GMercyU has launched a number of new bachelor’s and master’s degrees in areas such as Exercise Science, Speech-Language Pathology, and a Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program.
Learn more about the rankings here.