Mount Mercy College vs. Lesley University

Comparable Facts

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

Lesley University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (2,557 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Lesley University is in Cambridge, MA (Midsize City setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lesley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Lesley University 10:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Lesley University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Lesley 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 Mount Mercy University than Lesley University ($24,347 vs. $32,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 41.8% lower than at Lesley University ($11,600 vs. $19,920).
• Mount Mercy University is 19.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lesley University (about $6,622 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Lesley University (about $6,622 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $34,256.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Lesley University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 60.4% larger than aid received by Lesley University students ($30,735 vs. $19,167).

Mount Mercy College vs. Lesley University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Lesley University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Lesley University (3.31).
• Lesley University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 7.9% at Lesley University.

Mount Mercy College vs. Lesley University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Lesley 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 Lesley University's (49%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Lesley University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $2,070 lower median loan debt than Lesley University graduates ($22,250 vs. $24,320).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lesley University graduates ($230 vs. $251).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lesley University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)

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.