Columbia College vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Columbia College vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College 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 Mount Mercy University than Columbia College ($24,347 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 43.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($11,600 vs. $20,629).
• Mount Mercy University is 19.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $6,790 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.9% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Columbia College Chicago (about $6,790 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $34,088.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 34.9% larger than aid received by Columbia College Chicago students ($30,735 vs. $22,780).

Columbia College vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College 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 Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027; Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Columbia College (3.41).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Columbia College vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College 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 Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,250 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($230 vs. $268).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 46%)

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.