Mount Mercy College vs. Harris-Stowe State University

Should I go to Mount Mercy University or Harris Stowe State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Mount Mercy College or Harris-Stowe State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Coe College Lincoln University of Missouri University of Dubuque William Penn University
Mount Mercy University vs. Harris Stowe State University comparison
Mount Mercy University Harris Stowe State University College 3 College 4
Mount Mercy University Harris Stowe State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
Location Cedar Rapids, IA Saint Louis, MO
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 1,526 1,084
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mtmercy.edu hssu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
Tuition (In State) $36,606 $5,424
Tuition (Out of State) $36,606 $10,056
Room & Board $10,636 $9,691
Avg Net Price $24,078 $10,239
Avg Grant Aid $27,288 $10,507
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,569 -
Admitted 1,181 -
Acceptance Rate 75.3% Open
Enrolled % 19% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.04
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (24%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (21%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
Graduation Rate 60% 8%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,900 $30,100
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,250 $27,025
Median Loan Payment $230 $279

Diversity

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
% Men 36% 30%
% Women 64% 70%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 81% 7%
% Black 7% 82%
% Hispanic 2% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 3% 6%

Students

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
% In-State 60% 57%
% Out-of-State 28% 33%

Campus

Mount Mercy College Harris-Stowe State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Mount Mercy University is larger than than Harris-Stowe State University based on total student enrollment (1,526 students vs. 1,084 students)

Mount Mercy College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Harris-Stowe State University?

  • Mount Mercy University is 574.9% more expensive to attend than Harris-Stowe State University for in-state tuition ($36,606.00 vs. $5,424.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 264% higher at Mount Mercy College than Harris Stowe State University ($36,606.00 vs. $10,056.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Harris Stowe State University than Mount Mercy College ($10,239 vs. $24,078)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Harris Stowe State University are 9.8% lower than costs at Mount Mercy University ($9,691 vs. $10,636)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Mount Mercy University as Harris Stowe State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 159.7% larger than aid received Harris Stowe State University ($27,288 vs. $10,507)

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Mercy College or Harris-Stowe State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Harris-Stowe State University or Mount Mercy College .

  • Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Harris-Stowe State University (3.04)

Mount Mercy College vs. Harris-Stowe State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Mount Mercy College or Harris-Stowe State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Harris-Stowe State University and Mount Mercy College.

  • The graduation rate at Mount Mercy College is higher than Harris Stowe State University (60% vs. 8%)
  • Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn on average $15,800 more per year than Harris-Stowe State University graduates after ten years. ($45,900 vs. $30,100)
  • Mount Mercy University students graduate with a $4,775 lower median federal student loan debt than Harris-Stowe State University graduates. ($22,250 vs. $27,025)
  • Mount Mercy College graduates are paying $49 less per month on federal student loans than Harris-Stowe State University graduates. ($230 vs. $279)
  • More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Harris-Stowe State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/