Mount Mercy College vs. McDaniel College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA with McDaniel College in Westminster, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

McDaniel College is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (2,868 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); McDaniel College is in Westminster, MD (Small Suburban setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. McDaniel College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; McDaniel College 13:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. McDaniel College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or McDaniel College? 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 McDaniel College ($24,347 vs. $24,497).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 10.6% lower than at McDaniel College ($11,600 vs. $12,974).
• McDaniel College is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Mercy College (about $11,203 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at McDaniel College than at Mount Mercy University (about $11,203 more per year; $52,081.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at McDaniel College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 32.5% larger than aid received by Mount Mercy University students ($40,721 vs. $30,735).

Mount Mercy College vs. McDaniel College Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; McDaniel College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than McDaniel College (77.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 13.7% at McDaniel College.

Mount Mercy College vs. McDaniel College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and McDaniel College? 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).

• McDaniel College's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Mount Mercy University's (60%).
• Graduates from McDaniel College earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than McDaniel College graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McDaniel College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Mercy College students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 71%)

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.