Mount Mercy College vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Mercy University is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Northland College 5:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Northland 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 Northland College than Mount Mercy College ($23,253 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Mount Mercy University and Northland College ($11,600).
• Northland College is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Mercy College (about $3,525 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Northland College than at Mount Mercy University (about $3,525 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University as at Northland College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Mount Mercy University students ($33,572 vs. $30,735).

Mount Mercy College vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

Mount Mercy College vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Northland 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).

• Mount Mercy University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Northland College's (48%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $4,693 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($22,250 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($230 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Mercy College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.