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Mount Mercy University

Mount Mercy College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402-4797

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedHealth sciencesTight-knitUrban

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Mount Mercy University is a private institution in Cedar Rapids with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1120, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.1K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

56% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $60,787 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,435.

Established
1928
Motto
Pacem et Veritatem Diligite
Mascot
Mustang Sally
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

79%Acceptance
1120SAT Avg
1,135Students
13:1Student:Faculty
56%Grad Rate
$60,787Earnings 10yr
$23,435Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate78.8%

ACT Score Range

Composite
1925

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$39,070
Room & Board$11,030
Books & Supplies$1,200
Total Cost of Attendance$52,436
Average Net Price$23,435
Median Debt at Graduation$23,699
Monthly Payment (10yr)$251

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,255
$30–48K$25,779
$48–75K$21,217
$75–110K$25,021
$110K+$25,996

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

43.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$18,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

8

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (66)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

70%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,135
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
29%
Pell Grant Recipients
26%

Race & Ethnicity

White 64%
Black 3%
Hispanic 3%
Asian 2%
Two+ 14%
Int'l 10%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate55.9%
Freshman Retention70.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$52,871
10 Years$60,787

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Mustangs

Lacrosse

History & Fun Facts

  • History Mount Mercy University was founded as a two-year college for women in 1928 by the Sisters of Mercy of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
  • In 1957, Mount Mercy became a four-year institution and awarded its first bachelor's degree in 1959.
  • The college received accreditation as a baccalaureate institution by the North Central Association in 1960.
  • In 1968, the Sisters of Mercy transferred their legal authority and responsibility to a self-perpetuating independent board of which three members would always be Sisters of Mercy.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

96Average

Estimated from IA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Milwaukeepop. 570K
204 mi(354 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
207 mi(359 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
221 mi(383 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ORD Chicago O'Hare192 mi
MKE Milwaukee202 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul214 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1052 mi · ~30h 23m drive
New York, NY918 mi · ~26h 31m drive
Hartford, CT974 mi · ~28h 8m drive
Providence, RI1038 mi · ~29h 59m drive
Albany, NY913 mi · ~26h 23m drive
Syracuse, NY792 mi · ~22h 53m drive
Rochester, NY718 mi · ~20h 45m drive
Buffalo, NY653 mi · ~18h 52m drive
Philadelphia, PA870 mi · ~25h 8m drive
Pittsburgh, PA615 mi · ~17h 46m drive
Harrisburg, PA777 mi · ~22h 27m drive
Newark, NJ909 mi · ~26h 16m drive
Washington, DC796 mi · ~23h drive
Baltimore, MD809 mi · ~23h 22m drive
Atlanta, GA694 mi · ~20h 3m drive
Charlotte, NC747 mi · ~21h 35m drive
Raleigh, NC820 mi · ~23h 41m drive
Miami, FL1298 mi · ~37h 30m drive
Orlando, FL1094 mi · ~31h 36m drive
Tampa, FL1100 mi · ~31h 47m drive
Nashville, TN480 mi · ~13h 52m drive
New Orleans, LA837 mi · ~24h 11m drive
Richmond, VA814 mi · ~23h 31m drive
Chicago, IL207 mi · ~5h 59m drive
Detroit, MI441 mi · ~12h 44m drive
Minneapolis, MN221 mi · ~6h 23m drive
St. Louis, MO245 mi · ~7h 5m drive
Kansas City, MO253 mi · ~7h 19m drive
Indianapolis, IN326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Columbus, OH473 mi · ~13h 40m drive
Cleveland, OH514 mi · ~14h 51m drive
Milwaukee, WI204 mi · ~5h 54m drive
Dallas, TX697 mi · ~20h 8m drive
Houston, TX871 mi · ~25h 10m drive
Austin, TX879 mi · ~25h 24m drive
San Antonio, TX949 mi · ~27h 25m drive
Los Angeles, CA1540 mi · ~44h 29m drive
San Francisco, CA1648 mi · ~47h 37m drive
San Diego, CA1533 mi · ~44h 17m drive
Seattle, WA1542 mi · ~44h 33m drive
Portland, OR1557 mi · ~44h 59m drive
Denver, CO713 mi · ~20h 36m drive
Phoenix, AZ1258 mi · ~36h 21m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Honolulu, HI4042 mi · ~116h 46m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

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