Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA 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 Laguna College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Laguna College of Art and Design is located in Laguna Beach, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Laguna College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Laguna College of Art and Design 9:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laguna College of Art and Design 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 Mount Mercy University than Laguna College of Art and Design ($24,347 vs. $47,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 40.7% lower than at Laguna College of Art and Design ($11,600 vs. $19,553).
• Mount Mercy University is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Laguna College of Art and Design (about $3,378 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Laguna College of Art and Design (about $3,378 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Laguna College of Art and Design as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 175.6% larger than aid received by Laguna College of Art and Design students ($30,735 vs. $11,153).

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Laguna College of Art and Design 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 Laguna College of Art and Design.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Laguna College of Art and Design - Test-free; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Laguna College of Art and Design Aug 15, 2027; Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Laguna College of Art and Design students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).
• Laguna College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at Laguna College of Art and Design vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Laguna College of Art and Design vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Laguna College of Art and Design 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).

• Mount Mercy University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Laguna College of Art and Design's (56%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $4,449 lower median loan debt than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($22,250 vs. $26,699).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($230 vs. $276).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laguna College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

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.