EIU vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

EIU vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University than Mount Mercy College ($13,787 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 5.6% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($11,600 vs. $12,282).
• Mount Mercy University is 198.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than EIU (about $27,199 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $13,679.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.1% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Eastern Illinois University (about $24,661 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Eastern Illinois University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 137.2% larger than aid received by Eastern Illinois University students ($30,735 vs. $12,960).

EIU vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU 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 EIU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - 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 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at EIU (3.39).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

EIU vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU 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 Eastern Illinois University's (59%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $1,400 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($22,250 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($230 vs. $244).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EIU 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.