Pitzer vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare Pitzer College in Claremont, CA 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 Pitzer based on total student enrollment (1,417 students vs. 1,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pitzer College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Pitzer College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pitzer College 10:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Pitzer vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitzer 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 Mount Mercy University than Pitzer ($24,347 vs. $34,979).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Mercy University are 47.6% lower than at Pitzer College ($11,600 vs. $22,150).
• Pitzer College is 59.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mount Mercy College (about $24,314 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.5% higher at Pitzer than at Mount Mercy University (about $24,314 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $40,878.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Pitzer College (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pitzer College students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Mount Mercy University students ($51,487 vs. $30,735).

Pitzer vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitzer 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 Pitzer.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Pitzer - Test-free; Mount Mercy College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pitzer Jan 1, 2027; Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitzer students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Mount Mercy College (3.5).
• Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Pitzer (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at Pitzer vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Pitzer vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitzer 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).

• Pitzer College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Mount Mercy University's (60%).
• Graduates from Pitzer College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pitzer College graduates have a $6,355 lower median loan debt than Mount Mercy College graduates ($15,895 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, Pitzer graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Mercy College graduates ($164 vs. $230).
• More Pitzer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Mercy College students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.