Misericordia University

What it reported doing in 2024

Misericordia university is a catholic liberal arts institution established in the tradition of the sisters of mercy in 1924. The university fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and respect for persons in an environment where all are welcome. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs to resident and commuter students who can choose from majors in three distinct academic colleges. The college of arts and sciences offers major degree programs in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, clinical laboratory science, computer science, criminology, data science, english, environmental studies, history, information technology, mass communications and design, mathematics, medical and health humanities, philosophy, psychology, public health, social work, sociology and statistics as well as a number of minor degree programs. Pre-professional programs include a pre-law specialization and pre-medical health profession. Certification is available in film and media studies, geriatric care management and professional and technical writing. The college of health sciences & education offers major degree programs in diagnostic medical sonography, early childhood education, education, exercise science, health science, medical imaging, middle level education, nursing, occupational science, secondary education programs and education, as well as a minor degree program in patient navigation. Certification programs are available in addictions counseling, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing post-master's, patient navigation and reading specialist. The college of health sciences & education offers dual credentials in health science/speech pathology specialization, medical imaging/diagnostic medical sonography certificate, and nursing dnp/bsn to dnp. Master of science degrees are offered in adult-gerontologic primary care nurse practitioner, education, family/individual across the lifespan nurse practitioner, nursing dnp, occupational therapy (ms and otd), physical therapy dpt, physician assistant studies, and speech-language pathology. Graduate education endorsements are offered in gifted education, integrative stem (pk-12) and online instruction (pk-12). The college of business offers major degree programs in accounting, business administration, business economics, entreprenuership, health care administration, management, marketing, professional studies, and sports management along with a number of minor degree programs. Certification is available in entrepreneurship fundamentals and health care leadership and operations. A graduate degree is offered in master of business administration. Misericordia university is regionally accredited by the middle states commission on higher education. The university is also officially recognized by the following accrediting agencies: accreditation council for occupational therapy education, commission on accreditation in physical therapy education, commission on accreditation of allied health education programs, commission on collegiate nursing education, council on academic accreditation in audiology and speech-language pathology of the american speech-language hearing association, council on social work education, international accreditation council for business education, Pennsylvania department of education, the accreditation review commission on education for the physician assistant, inc. And the joint review committee on education in radiologic technology. Misericordia university has legal permission from the Pennsylvania state board of nurse examiners to operate a school of nursing in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Various other state education departments also recognize the university's academic programs.the total headcount for fall 2024 included 2,201 students.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 86.3%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 89.6%; rating input score 90
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.36 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 21.6%; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.29; rating input score 67; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 63; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.1%; rating input score 54; 54th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.1% per year; rating input score 100; 16th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 2.8% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 5.2% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings