Mount Mercy College vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Mercy University is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Cottey 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 Cottey College than Mount Mercy College ($14,704 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cottey College are 3.1% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($11,240 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 48.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cottey College (about $13,316 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.3% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Cottey College (about $13,316 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $27,562.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Cottey College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 25.1% larger than aid received by Cottey College students ($30,735 vs. $24,565).

Mount Mercy College vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cottey College (3.39).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

Mount Mercy College vs. Cottey College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Cottey 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 $12,000 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $10,250 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($12,000 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($124 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cottey College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

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.