Western Illinois University vs. Mount Mercy College

Should I go to Western Illinois University or Mount Mercy University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western Illinois University or Mount Mercy College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western Illinois University vs. Mount Mercy University comparison
Western Illinois University Mount Mercy University College 3 College 4
Western Illinois University Mount Mercy University
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Overview

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
Location Macomb, IL Cedar Rapids, IA
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 7,643 1,526
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #579
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wiu.edu mtmercy.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
Tuition (In State) $9,515 $36,606
Tuition (Out of State) $9,515 $36,606
Room & Board $10,500 $10,636
Avg Net Price $11,213 $24,078
Avg Grant Aid $15,632 $27,288
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 100%

Admission

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,219 1,569
Admitted 6,914 1,181
Acceptance Rate 75% 75.3%
Enrolled % 15.5% 19%
Avg High School GPA 3.45 3.5
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (44%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Psychology (4%)

Outcomes

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
Graduation Rate 53% 60%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $45,900
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,704 $22,250
Median Loan Payment $255 $230

Diversity

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
% Men 43% 36%
% Women 57% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 62% 81%
% Black 19% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 3%

Students

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
% In-State 89% 60%
% Out-of-State 10% 28%

Campus

Western Illinois University Mount Mercy College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Western Illinois University is larger than than Mount Mercy College based on total student enrollment (7,643 students vs. 1,526 students)

Western Illinois University vs. Mount Mercy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western Illinois University or Mount Mercy College?

  • Mount Mercy University is 284.7% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($36,606.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 284.7% higher at Mount Mercy College than Western Illinois University ($36,606.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Mount Mercy College ($11,213 vs. $24,078)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 1.3% lower than costs at Mount Mercy University ($10,500 vs. $10,636)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Mount Mercy University than Western Illinois University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Mercy University students is 74.6% larger than aid received Western Illinois University ($27,288 vs. $15,632)

Western Illinois University vs. Mount Mercy College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western Illinois University or Mount Mercy College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Mount Mercy College or Western Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at Mount Mercy University (990) is 20 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Western Illinois University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Mount Mercy College (21)
  • Accepted freshman Mount Mercy College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Western Illinois University (3.45)
  • Mount Mercy College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Western Illinois University (75%)

Western Illinois University vs. Mount Mercy College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western Illinois University or Mount Mercy College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Mount Mercy College and Western Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at Mount Mercy College is higher than Western Illinois University (60% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Western Illinois University earn on average $100 more per year than Mount Mercy College graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $45,900)
  • Mount Mercy University students graduate with a $2,454 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($22,250 vs. $24,704)
  • Mount Mercy College graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/