Central College vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central College in Pella, IA with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mount Mercy University is larger than Central College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 1,084 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central College is located in Pella, IA (Distant Town setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central College 11:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Central College vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or Mount Mercy College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central College than Mount Mercy College ($23,848 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 3.8% lower than at Central College ($11,600 vs. $12,060).
• Mount Mercy University is 94.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central College (about $19,890 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.8% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Central College (about $19,890 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $20,988.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Central College as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 120.7% larger than aid received by Central College students ($30,735 vs. $13,925).

Central College vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central College or Mount Mercy College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mount Mercy College and Central College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 1056/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central College 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central College - Test optional; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).
• Central College has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21% at Central College vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Central College vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central College and Mount Mercy College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Mount Mercy University's (60%).
• Graduates from Central College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Central College graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Mercy College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.