Iowa vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Iowa vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa 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 University of Iowa than Mount Mercy College ($21,765 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 10.2% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,600 vs. $12,920).
• Mount Mercy University is 262.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $29,595 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Mount Mercy College than at University of Iowa (about $7,507 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 211.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($30,735 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa 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 Iowa.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Iowa vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Mount Mercy University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $634 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($223 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)

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.