Blackburn College vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL 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 Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Blackburn College vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn 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 Blackburn College than Mount Mercy College ($18,460 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 14.5% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($9,915 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 45.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Blackburn College (about $12,729 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.2% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Blackburn College (about $12,729 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $28,149.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 58% larger than aid received by Blackburn College students ($30,735 vs. $19,456).

Blackburn College vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn 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 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Blackburn College vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn 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 Blackburn College's (48%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($22,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($230 vs. $268).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 58%)

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.