Mount Mercy College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA with Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lenoir Rhyne University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (2,256 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Lenoir Rhyne University is in Hickory, NC (Small City setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Lenoir-Rhyne 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 Lenoir Rhyne University than Mount Mercy College ($21,546 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 13.4% lower than at Lenoir Rhyne University ($11,600 vs. $13,400).
• Mount Mercy University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lenoir-Rhyne University (about $8,978 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Lenoir Rhyne University (about $8,978 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $31,900.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Lenoir Rhyne University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 31% larger than aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students ($30,735 vs. $23,467).

Mount Mercy College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Mercy College or Lenoir-Rhyne 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 Lenoir-Rhyne University and Mount Mercy College.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Lenoir-Rhyne University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41).
• Lenoir-Rhyne University has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Mount Mercy College vs. Lenoir-Rhyne University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Lenoir-Rhyne 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 Lenoir Rhyne University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lenoir-Rhyne University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.