Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College

Should I go to Buena Vista University or Mount Mercy University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Buena Vista University or Mount Mercy College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy University comparison
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Buena Vista University Mount Mercy University
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Overview

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
Location Storm Lake, IA Cedar Rapids, IA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,973 1,526
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #714
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bvu.edu mtmercy.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
Tuition (In State) $38,644 $36,606
Tuition (Out of State) $38,644 $36,606
Room & Board $10,680 $10,636
Avg Net Price $19,204 $24,078
Avg Grant Aid $33,703 $27,288
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,562 1,569
Admitted 1,207 1,181
Acceptance Rate 77.3% 75.3%
Enrolled % 19.6% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.49 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/24
SAT Range 930/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2024

Academics

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (34%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (4%)

Outcomes

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
Graduation Rate 55% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $45,900
Making Student Loan Payments 59% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,022 $22,250
Median Loan Payment $248 $230

Diversity

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
% Men 30% 36%
% Women 70% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 81%
% Black 1% 7%
% Hispanic 4% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 3%

Students

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
% In-State 58% 60%
% Out-of-State 41% 28%

Campus

Buena Vista University Mount Mercy College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Buena Vista University is larger than than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (1,973 students vs. 1,526 students)

Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista University or Mount Mercy College?

  • Buena Vista University is 5.6% more expensive to attend than Mount Mercy College for in-state tuition ($38,644.00 vs. $36,606.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.6% higher at Buena Vista University than Mount Mercy University ($38,644.00 vs. $36,606.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Buena Vista University than Mount Mercy College ($19,204 vs. $24,078)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 0.4% lower than costs at Buena Vista University ($10,636 vs. $10,680)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Buena Vista University as Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 23.5% larger than aid received Mount Mercy University ($33,703 vs. $27,288)

Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista University or Mount Mercy College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mount Mercy College or Buena Vista University .

  • The average SAT score at Buena Vista University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Mount Mercy College (990)
  • Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Mount Mercy College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49)
  • Buena Vista University has a higher acceptance rate (77.3%) than Mount Mercy College (75.3%)

Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Buena Vista University or Mount Mercy College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mount Mercy College and Buena Vista University.

  • The graduation rate at Mount Mercy College is higher than Buena Vista University (60% vs. 55%)
  • Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn on average $4,700 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates after ten years. ($45,900 vs. $41,200)
  • Mount Mercy University students graduate with a $1,772 lower median federal student loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates. ($22,250 vs. $24,022)
  • Mount Mercy College graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than Buena Vista University graduates. ($230 vs. $248)
  • More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/