Mount Mercy College vs. OU

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Mercy University is larger than OU based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 999 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mount Mercy College vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or OU? 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 OU ($24,347 vs. $28,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 15% lower than at Ottawa University Ottawa ($11,600 vs. $13,646).
• Mount Mercy University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than OU (about $4,998 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $35,880.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Ottawa University Ottawa (about $4,998 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $35,880.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Ottawa University Ottawa (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 29.7% larger than aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students ($30,735 vs. $23,692).

Mount Mercy College vs. OU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Mercy College or OU? 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 OU and Mount Mercy College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsOttawa University Ottawa 750/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsOttawa University Ottawa 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; OU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at OU (3.12).
• OU has a higher acceptance rate (83%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 14.1% at OU.

Mount Mercy College vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and OU? 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 Ottawa University Ottawa's (47%).
• Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $500 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Ottawa University Ottawa graduates have a $375 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($21,875 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, OU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($226 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 46%)

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.