Briar Cliff University vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA 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 Briar Cliff University based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 947 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Briar Cliff University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Briar Cliff University 10:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University 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 Briar Cliff University than Mount Mercy College ($23,263 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Briar Cliff University are 0.7% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($11,518 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Briar Cliff University (about $3,922 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $36,956.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.6% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Briar Cliff University (about $3,922 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $36,956.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Briar Cliff University students ($30,735 vs. $28,425).

Briar Cliff University vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University 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 Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• 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

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University 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 Briar Cliff University's (45%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates ($22,250 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.