Clarke University vs. Mount Mercy College

Should I go to Clarke University or Mount Mercy University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clarke 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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Clarke University vs. Mount Mercy University comparison
Clarke University Mount Mercy University College 3 College 4
Mount Mercy University
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Overview

Clarke University Mount Mercy College
Location Dubuque, IA Cedar Rapids, IA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 965 1,526
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clarke.edu mtmercy.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clarke University Mount Mercy College
Tuition (In State) $36,900 $36,606
Tuition (Out of State) $36,900 $36,606
Room & Board $10,600 $10,636
Avg Net Price $27,275 $24,078
Avg Grant Aid $25,403 $27,288
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Clarke University Mount Mercy College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,665 1,569
Admitted 2,260 1,181
Acceptance Rate 84.8% 75.3%
Enrolled % 8.5% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.36 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 920/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Clarke University Mount Mercy College
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (4%)

Outcomes

Clarke University Mount Mercy College
Graduation Rate 60% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,800 $45,900
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $22,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $230

Diversity

Clarke University Mount Mercy College
% Men 51% 36%
% Women 49% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 85% 81%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 7% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Clarke University Mount Mercy College
% In-State 25% 60%
% Out-of-State 65% 28%

Campus

Clarke 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 Clarke University based on total student enrollment (1,526 students vs. 965 students)

Clarke University vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

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

  • Clarke University is 0.8% more expensive to attend than Mount Mercy College for in-state tuition ($36,900.00 vs. $36,606.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0.8% higher at Clarke University than Mount Mercy University ($36,900.00 vs. $36,606.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mount Mercy University than Clarke University ($24,078 vs. $27,275)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clarke University are 0.3% lower than costs at Mount Mercy University ($10,600 vs. $10,636)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Clarke University as Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 7.4% larger than aid received Clarke University ($27,288 vs. $25,403)

Clarke University vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clarke 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 Clarke University .

  • The average SAT score at Clarke University (1045) is 55 points higher than at Mount Mercy College (990)
  • Incoming Clarke University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Mount Mercy College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Clarke University (3.36)
  • Clarke University has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Mount Mercy College (75.3%)

Clarke University vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clarke 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 Clarke University.

  • The graduation rate at Clarke University is the same as at Mount Mercy University (60% vs. 60%)
  • Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Clarke University graduates after ten years. ($45,900 vs. $42,800)
  • Mount Mercy University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Clarke University graduates. ($22,250 vs. $26,000)
  • Mount Mercy College graduates are paying $38 less per month on federal student loans than Clarke University graduates. ($230 vs. $268)
  • More Clarke University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Mercy College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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