Mount Mercy College vs. Lakeland University

Comparable Facts

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

Lakeland University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (2,813 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Lakeland University is in Plymouth, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lakeland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Lakeland University 12:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University than Mount Mercy College ($24,253 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 4.4% lower than at Lakeland University ($11,600 vs. $12,140).
• Mount Mercy University is 22.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lakeland University (about $7,482 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $33,396.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Lakeland University (about $7,482 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $33,396.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Lakeland University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 25.1% larger than aid received by Lakeland University students ($30,735 vs. $24,559).

Mount Mercy College vs. Lakeland University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Mercy College or Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University and Mount Mercy College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Lakeland University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Lakeland University (3.0).
• Lakeland University has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 16.1% at Lakeland University.

Mount Mercy College vs. Lakeland University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University's (42%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Lakeland University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $3,208 lower median loan debt than Lakeland University graduates ($22,250 vs. $25,458).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lakeland University graduates ($230 vs. $263).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lakeland University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)

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.