Mount Mercy College vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (6,660 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Metropolitan State 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 Metropolitan State University than Mount Mercy College ($16,615 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 26.9% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($11,600 vs. $15,864).
• Mount Mercy University is 315.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $31,038 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 315.4% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Metropolitan State University (about $31,038 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Metropolitan State University (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 260% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($30,735 vs. $8,538).

Mount Mercy College vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027; Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 33.8% at Metropolitan State University.

Mount Mercy College vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Metropolitan State 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 Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $4,258 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($17,992 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($186 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State 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.