Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

Buena Vista University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (1,890 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Buena Vista University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Buena Vista University 13:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista University than Mount Mercy College ($19,704 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Buena Vista University are 2.3% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($11,330 vs. $11,600).
• Buena Vista University is 2.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Mercy College (about $920 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Buena Vista University than at Mount Mercy University (about $920 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Mount Mercy University students ($34,397 vs. $30,735).

Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Buena Vista University (3.49).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Buena Vista University vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista University's (55%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $1,772 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($22,250 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($230 vs. $248).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

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.