Mount Mercy College vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Mercy University is larger than Alma College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 1,197 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Alma College 14:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Alma 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 Alma College than Mount Mercy College ($22,094 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 18.2% lower than at Alma College ($11,600 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 21.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Mercy College (about $8,674 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Alma College than at Mount Mercy University (about $8,674 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Alma College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 35.4% larger than aid received by Mount Mercy University students ($41,618 vs. $30,735).

Mount Mercy College vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Mercy College or Alma 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 Alma College and Mount Mercy College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Alma College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at Alma College (3.5).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

Mount Mercy College vs. Alma College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Alma 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).

• Alma College's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Mount Mercy University's (60%).
• Graduates from Alma College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Alma College graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alma College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Mercy College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.