Mount Mercy College vs. Mars Hill University

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Mercy University is larger than Mars Hill University based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 1,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Mars Hill University is in Mars Hill, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mars Hill University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Mars Hill University 11:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Mars Hill University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Mars Hill 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 Mars Hill University than Mount Mercy College ($18,925 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 5.4% lower than at Mars Hill University ($11,600 vs. $12,258).
• Mount Mercy University is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mars Hill University (about $3,142 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Mars Hill University (about $3,142 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $37,736.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Mars Hill University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mars Hill University students is 1.1% larger than aid received by Mount Mercy University students ($31,066 vs. $30,735).

Mount Mercy College vs. Mars Hill University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Mars Hill University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have the same average high school GPA (3.5) as students at Mars Hill University (3.5).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Mars Hill University (67.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 31.1% at Mars Hill University.

Mount Mercy College vs. Mars Hill University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Mars Hill 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 Mars Hill University's (38%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than Mars Hill University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Mars Hill 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 Mars Hill University graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mars Hill University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 53%)

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.