Loras College vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare Loras College in Dubuque, 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 Loras College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loras College is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loras College 12:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Loras College vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loras 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 Loras College than Mount Mercy College ($21,631 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 5.2% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($11,000 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Loras College (about $1,054 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $39,824.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Loras College (about $1,054 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $39,824.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Loras College as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 6.6% larger than aid received by Loras College students ($30,735 vs. $28,835).

Loras College vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loras 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 Loras College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loras College - Test-free; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Loras College (3.48).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Loras College vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Loras College vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loras 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).

• Mount Mercy University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Loras College's (59%).
• Graduates from Loras College earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 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 Loras 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 Loras College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Mercy College students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.