Mount Mercy College vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA with Missouri Western State University in Saint Joseph, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Missouri Western State University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (3,716 students vs. 1,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University than Mount Mercy College ($13,126 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 5.8% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($11,600 vs. $12,311).
• Mount Mercy University is 296.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $30,572 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.9% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Missouri Western State University (about $20,012 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $20,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Missouri Western State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 232.4% larger than aid received by Missouri Western State University students ($30,735 vs. $9,245).

Mount Mercy College vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Mercy College or MWSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MWSU and Mount Mercy College.

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; MWSU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at MWSU (3.25).

Mount Mercy College vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and MWSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Mount Mercy University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Missouri Western State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Western State University graduates have a $432 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($21,818 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, MWSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($225 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 53%)

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.