Paine College vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

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

Mount Mercy University is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Paine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Paine College 11:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Paine College vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College or Mount Mercy 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 Paine College than Mount Mercy College ($15,935 vs. $24,347).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 35.2% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($7,512 vs. $11,600).
• Mount Mercy University is 180.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $26,282 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.1% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Paine College (about $26,282 more per year; $40,878.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Paine College as at Mount Mercy University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 153.1% larger than aid received by Paine College students ($30,735 vs. $12,145).

Paine College vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027; Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Paine College has a higher acceptance rate (95.4%) than Mount Mercy College (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Paine College vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College and Mount Mercy 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 Paine College's (27%).
• Graduates from Mount Mercy University earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($22,250 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($230 vs. $369).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College 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.