Western Illinois University vs. Mount Mercy College

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Illinois University is larger than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 1,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting); Mount Mercy University is in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Mercy University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Western Illinois University 12:1; Mount Mercy University 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 2.4% lower than at Mount Mercy University ($11,320 vs. $11,600).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.8% higher at Mount Mercy College than at Western Illinois University (about $25,614 more per year; $40,878 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Mercy University than at Western Illinois University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 105% larger than aid received by Western Illinois University students ($30,735 vs. $14,994).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Western Illinois University, test optional at Mount Mercy College.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mount Mercy College Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Mount Mercy College average a 3.5 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Western Illinois University (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.3% at Western Illinois University vs. 27.9% at Mount Mercy College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Mercy University graduates have a $2,454 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($22,250 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, Mount Mercy College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($230 vs. $255).
• More Mount Mercy College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Illinois University students, three years after graduation (71% vs. 61%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.