Mount Mercy College vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Mercy University is larger than Shaw University based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 964 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Mount Mercy College vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Shaw 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 Shaw University than Mount Mercy College ($16,445 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 20.6% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($9,210 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 133.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $23,340 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.1% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Shaw University (about $23,340 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Shaw University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 113.2% larger than aid received by Shaw University students ($30,735 vs. $14,417).

Mount Mercy College vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027; Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.9 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Shaw University (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

Mount Mercy College vs. Shaw University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Shaw 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 Shaw University's (27%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $15,750 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($22,250 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $162 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($230 vs. $392).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 15%)

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.