GSU vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Governors 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: Governors State University 11:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

GSU vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU 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 Governors State University than Mount Mercy College ($12,756 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 1.2% lower than at Governors State University ($11,600 vs. $11,736).
• Mount Mercy University is 240.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $28,874 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 240.5% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Governors State University (about $28,874 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Governors State University (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 168.3% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($30,735 vs. $11,455).

GSU vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

GSU vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU 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).

• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($17,250 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($178 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 48%)

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.