Mount Mercy College vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (5,689 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Columbia 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 Columbia College than Mount Mercy College ($21,530 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 17.7% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($9,552 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 58.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia College (about $15,052 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Columbia College (about $15,052 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $25,826.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Columbia College (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 93.5% larger than aid received by Columbia College students ($30,735 vs. $15,882).

Mount Mercy College vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).

Mount Mercy College vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Columbia 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 Columbia College's (39%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia College graduates have a $216 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($22,034 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Columbia College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($227 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 40%)

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.