
Mercy College, previously known as Mercy University, is a private research university with campuses in Dobbs Ferry, Manhattan, and the Bronx in New York. It was historically affiliated with the Catholic Church but has been independent and non-sectarian since the early 1970s. However, it still retains its historical affiliation with the Sisters of Mercy. There is also a Mercy College in Des Moines, Iowa, which is a Catholic, accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning that offers healthcare degrees and has been in operation for over 125 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mercy University (formerly Mercy College) |
| Location | Dobbs Ferry, New York |
| Campuses | Westchester, Manhattan, Bronx, and Yorktown |
| History | Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1950, became a four-year college in 1961, and became a university in 2023 |
| Affiliation | Historically affiliated with the Catholic Church, but has been independent and non-sectarian since the early 1970s |
| Type of Institution | Private research university |
| Student Population | Over 8,500 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds |
| Programs Offered | Over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs |
| Athletics | Division II level of the NCAA, with 10 varsity sports teams |
| Scholarships | Available for eligible students |
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What You'll Learn
- Mercy University was historically affiliated with the Catholic Church
- Mercy College in Des Moines, Iowa, is a Catholic institution
- Mercy University has been independent and non-sectarian since the 1970s
- Mercy College offers healthcare degrees and has been educating professionals for over 125 years
- Mercy University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs

Mercy University was historically affiliated with the Catholic Church
Mercy University, previously known as Mercy College, is a private research university with a main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and additional locations in Manhattan and the Bronx. Mercy University was historically affiliated with the Catholic Church but has been independent and non-sectarian since the early 1970s. The university was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1950 and became a four-year college offering programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in 1961.
The Sisters of Mercy is a Catholic religious institute for women, founded in Ireland by Catherine McAuley in 1831. The institute is known for its commitment to serving the poor, sick, and uneducated. The Sisters of Mercy established numerous hospitals, schools, and social service institutions worldwide, including Mercy University. The university's Catholic affiliation guided its educational philosophy and mission to serve the community.
However, in the early 1970s, Mercy College underwent a significant transformation, declaring itself independent, non-sectarian, and coeducational. This shift reflected the college's evolving values and commitment to providing accessible and inclusive education to all motivated students, regardless of their background. The college expanded its physical plant, initiated community outreach efforts, and established branch campuses throughout Westchester County and New York City, including the Manhattan and Bronx campuses.
Today, Mercy University retains a historical affiliation with the Sisters of Mercy but is no longer formally associated with the Catholic Church. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, serving over 8,500 students from diverse backgrounds. Mercy University's mission is to provide motivated students with the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education, offering personalized and high-quality learning environments that prepare students for rewarding careers and lifelong learning.
It is worth noting that there is also a Mercy College in Des Moines, Iowa, which is a Catholic, accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning. This Mercy College has been educating healthcare professionals for over 125 years and maintains its Catholic heritage and commitment to excellence in health science education.
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Mercy College in Des Moines, Iowa, is a Catholic institution
Mercy College in Des Moines, Iowa, is a Catholic, accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning. The college has been educating healthcare professionals for over 125 years. It offers bachelor's, associate's, and certificate programs to prepare students to enter the healthcare workforce. Mercy College was founded in 1899 and has retained its Catholic heritage and commitment to excellence in health science education.
The college is proud of its Catholic identity and celebrates its long history alongside its religious affiliation. This is evident in initiatives such as the Legacy of Faith Campaign for the Joyce E. Lillis School of Nursing, which emphasizes the college's religious roots. Mercy College's connection to the Catholic Church is also reflected in its historical association with the Sisters of Mercy.
While the college is rooted in Catholic traditions and values, it has evolved to embrace diversity and inclusivity. Mercy College welcomes students from all backgrounds and beliefs, fostering an environment where individuals of various faiths and cultures can come together in the pursuit of knowledge. The college's commitment to openness and accessibility is a key aspect of its ethos.
Mercy College's transformation into a Catholic institution occurred over time. Initially founded as Mercy College, the school became a four-year college in 1961, offering programs leading to baccalaureate degrees. In the following years, the college expanded its reach by establishing extension centers and branch campuses throughout Westchester County and New York City. This expansion positioned Mercy College as a pioneer in higher education for first-generation college students.
Today, Mercy College in Des Moines, Iowa, stands as a testament to the enduring presence of Catholic institutions in higher education. Its Catholic identity shapes the educational experience, combining academic excellence with a values-based approach. The college's dedication to its faith-based heritage continues to guide its mission of transforming students into compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals.
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Mercy University has been independent and non-sectarian since the 1970s
Mercy University, previously known as Mercy College, is a private research university with a main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and additional locations in Manhattan and the Bronx. It was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1950 and became a four-year college offering baccalaureate degree programs in 1961.
The university was historically affiliated with the Catholic Church, specifically the Sisters of Mercy, but has been independent and non-sectarian since the early 1970s. This shift towards independence and non-sectarianism was part of a series of bold actions taken by the college to shape its future, which also included doubling the size of its physical plant and initiating community outreach efforts.
During the 1970s, Mercy College further demonstrated its innovative spirit by expanding its reach through the establishment of extension centers and branch campuses throughout Westchester County and New York City. This expansion positioned the college as a leader in higher education for first-generation college students and adults seeking to advance their careers.
Today, Mercy University is committed to providing motivated students with the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education. It offers liberal arts and professional programs in personalized and high-quality learning environments, preparing students for rewarding careers, lifelong learning, and ethical decision-making in a changing world. The university has six schools and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, both on-campus and online.
Mercy University's dedication to openness and accessibility is evident in its belief that all kinds of students deserve the opportunity to earn degrees, leading to new opportunities for themselves and transformative change in the world. This commitment to inclusivity and the university's evolution as an independent and non-sectarian institution have shaped its current identity and mission.
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Mercy College offers healthcare degrees and has been educating professionals for over 125 years
Mercy College, now Mercy University, is a private research university with a main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and additional locations in Manhattan and the Bronx. It was historically affiliated with the Catholic Church but has been independent and non-sectarian since the early 1970s. The university offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, including many in the healthcare field.
Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa, is the only private Catholic college in central Iowa. It has been transforming students into healthcare professionals since 1899 and offers master's degrees, bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, certificate programs, and continuing education courses. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and numerous programmatic accreditors.
Mercy College's history is rooted in the Catholic heritage of the Sisters of Mercy, who founded charitable organizations and hospitals worldwide. In Iowa, the Sisters of Mercy established Mercy Hospital, which eventually led to the founding of the Mercy Des Moines School of Nursing on April 7, 1899. The school has since grown and evolved to meet the needs of the community, adding programs and schools to address the demand for qualified healthcare professionals.
Mercy College of Health Sciences celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2024, marking over a century of educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. The college's unique hands-on learning, unparalleled clinical rotations, and accelerated education offerings prepare students to enter the workforce quickly with the critical skills necessary to succeed in their chosen healthcare careers.
Mercy College's Community Health Worker, Polysomnographic Technologist, and Paramedic programs offer scholarships of up to $4,000 to cover tuition costs. The college's Manhattan campus, located in the heart of Manhattan at Herald Square, was expanded and renovated in 2019, providing cutting-edge technology and dedicated health profession support. The Bronx campus also features health and science labs, anatomage tables, and student spaces such as the Veterans Lounge.
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Mercy University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs
Mercy University, formerly known as Mercy College, is a private research university with a main campus in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and additional locations in Manhattan and the Bronx. Mercy University offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs across a wide variety of disciplines, with small class sizes and an average student/faculty ratio of 15:1. The university was historically affiliated with the Catholic Church but has been independent and non-sectarian since the early 1970s, although it still retains its historical affiliation with the Sisters of Mercy.
The Manhattan campus is situated in the heart of Manhattan at Herald Square and occupies 95,370 square feet over three floors. The Bronx campus occupies 125,522 square feet at the Hutchinson Metro Center, a rapidly developing complex of corporate and healthcare organizations and businesses. The university also has a Yorktown campus, which is home to the branch library that serves as a federal depository for government publications.
Mercy University's flagship library is located on the main Dobbs Ferry campus, which encompasses numerous administrative, academic, and dormitory buildings, as well as indoor and outdoor athletic and fitness facilities. The university completed \$4.25 million worth of improvements to this campus in 2024, including the construction of a 4,100 square-foot permanent open-aired pavilion in The Grove area. The Dobbs Ferry campus also features enhanced athletic fields and a new eco-friendly turf field for baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey teams.
Mercy University's athletic teams are known as the Mavericks, and they compete at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the East Coast Conference (ECC). The university sponsors an intramural sports program and intercollegiate competition in 10 varsity sports, including baseball, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer for men, and basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and volleyball for women.
Mercy University is committed to providing motivated students with the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education. The university believes in offering liberal arts and professional programs in personalized and high-quality learning environments, preparing students for rewarding careers, lifelong learning, and ethical and responsible action in a changing world. Mercy University's mission is driven by the belief that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves access to education.
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Frequently asked questions
Mercy College in Des Moines, Iowa, is a Catholic, accredited, nonprofit institution of higher learning. However, Mercy University, previously known as Mercy College, New York, has been independent and non-sectarian since the early 1970s, although it retains its historical affiliation with the Sisters of Mercy.
Mercy College, Des Moines, Iowa, has been educating healthcare professionals for over 125 years. Mercy University, New York, has a main campus in Dobbs Ferry, with additional locations in Manhattan and the Bronx.
Mercy College was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1950 and became a four-year college in 1961. It was accredited by the Middle States Association’s Commission on Higher Education in 1968. Mercy College, New York, became Mercy University in 2023 to reflect the breadth of its programs.
Mercy College, Des Moines, Iowa, offers bachelor's, associate's, and certificate programs. Mercy University, New York, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, on campus and online.
Mercy College, Des Moines, Iowa, celebrates its Catholic heritage and its commitment to excellence in health science education. Mercy University, New York, believes in being open to all kinds of students and providing access to education regardless of background.











































