CSU vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

Chicago State University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

CSU vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chicago State University than Mount Mercy College ($10,441 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 0.4% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($11,550 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 220.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $28,124 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 220.5% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Chicago State University (about $28,124 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 68.9% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($30,735 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - 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 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

CSU vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($22,250 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($230 vs. $323).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 25%)

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.