Briar Cliff University vs. Mount Mercy College

Should I go to Briar Cliff University or Mount Mercy University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Briar Cliff University or Mount Mercy College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Briar Cliff University vs. Mount Mercy University comparison
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Mount Mercy University
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Overview

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
Location Sioux City, IA Cedar Rapids, IA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 927 1,526
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website briarcliff.edu mtmercy.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
Tuition (In State) $33,180 $36,606
Tuition (Out of State) $33,180 $36,606
Room & Board $9,910 $10,636
Avg Net Price $21,620 $24,078
Avg Grant Aid $26,614 $27,288
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 1,569
Admitted - 1,181
Acceptance Rate Open 75.3%
Enrolled % Open 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (35%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (4%)

Outcomes

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
Graduation Rate 45% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,500 $45,900
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $22,250
Median Loan Payment $253 $230

Diversity

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
% Men 44% 36%
% Women 56% 64%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 73% 81%
% Black 7% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 0% 3%

Students

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
% In-State 30% 60%
% Out-of-State 58% 28%

Campus

Briar Cliff University Mount Mercy College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Mount Mercy University is larger than than Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (1,526 students vs. 927 students)

Briar Cliff University vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University or Mount Mercy College?

  • Mount Mercy University is 10.3% more expensive to attend than Briar Cliff University for in-state tuition ($36,606.00 vs. $33,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.3% higher at Mount Mercy College than Briar Cliff University ($36,606.00 vs. $33,180.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Briar Cliff University than Mount Mercy College ($21,620 vs. $24,078)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Briar Cliff University are 7.3% lower than costs at Mount Mercy University ($9,910 vs. $10,636)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Mount Mercy University than Briar Cliff University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 2.5% larger than aid received Briar Cliff University ($27,288 vs. $26,614)

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University or Mount Mercy College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mount Mercy College or Briar Cliff University .

  • Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Briar Cliff University (3.21)

Briar Cliff University vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Briar Cliff University or Mount Mercy College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mount Mercy College and Briar Cliff University.

  • The graduation rate at Mount Mercy College is higher than Briar Cliff University (60% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates after ten years. ($45,900 vs. $42,500)
  • Mount Mercy University students graduate with a $2,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates. ($22,250 vs. $24,500)
  • Mount Mercy College graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Briar Cliff University graduates. ($230 vs. $253)
  • More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Briar Cliff University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/