ISU vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Iowa 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: Iowa State University 18:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

ISU vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU 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 Iowa State University than Mount Mercy College ($17,779 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 6.8% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($10,808 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 279% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $30,091 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Iowa State University (about $11,997 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 184.8% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($30,735 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU 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 ISU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

ISU vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Mount Mercy University's (60%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $1,618 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,250 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($230 vs. $246).
• More ISU 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.