Mercyhurst University vs Bella Capelli Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mercyhurst University comes closer — median earnings $47,452 against a $77,776 total, vs $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mercyhurst University | Bella Capelli Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,444 | $20,459 |
| Total net cost | $77,776 | $81,836 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,452 | $25,817 |
| Median debt | $25,305 | $8,028 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$95,936 | -$532,696 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mercyhurst University or Bella Capelli Academy?
Mercyhurst University, at $19,444 a year after aid versus $20,459 — a gap of $1,015 a year, or $4,060 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mercyhurst University or Bella Capelli Academy graduates earn more?
Mercyhurst University graduates report a median $47,452 ten years after entry, $21,635 more than the $25,817 at Bella Capelli Academy. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Mercyhurst University or Bella Capelli Academy?
Bella Capelli Academy: its completers carry a median $8,028 in federal loans versus $25,305 at Mercyhurst University, a difference of $17,277. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Bella Capelli Academy, against 60% at Mercyhurst University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.