Mount Mercy College vs. Benedict College

Comparable Facts

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

Benedict College is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (1,691 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Benedict College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Benedict College 13:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Benedict College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Benedict 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 Benedict College than Mount Mercy College ($18,665 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 38.4% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($7,146 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 134.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedict College (about $23,438 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.4% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Benedict College (about $23,438 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Benedict College (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 130.5% larger than aid received by Benedict College students ($30,735 vs. $13,335).

Mount Mercy College vs. Benedict College Admissions comparison

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

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBenedict College 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsBenedict College 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Benedict College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027; Benedict College Feb 15, 2027.
• Benedict College has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 8% at Benedict College.

Mount Mercy College vs. Benedict College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Benedict 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 Benedict College's (26%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Benedict College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $20,648 lower median loan debt than Benedict College graduates ($22,250 vs. $42,898).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $213 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedict College graduates ($230 vs. $443).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 13%)

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.