Mount Mercy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

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

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Mercy University is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Mercy University 14:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Mount Mercy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Mercy College or Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University than Mount Mercy College ($15,547 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 4.9% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($11,028 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 294.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $30,517 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 294.5% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $30,517 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 254.3% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($30,735 vs. $8,674).

Mount Mercy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Mercy College - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027; Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.9% at Mount Mercy College vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Mount Mercy College vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Mercy College and Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $572 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($21,678 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($224 vs. $230).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.