Mount Mercy University
#2 Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa- Graduation Rate
- 57% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $60,787 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,168 C-
- 18% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 83% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Nursing Colleges in Iowa.
Every $1 spent returns $17.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,352,994.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 49% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Mount Mercy University Matters
Mount Mercy University is a private university in Cedar Rapids, IA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,107
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 30
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Mount Mercy University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 83% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,168 a year after grants and scholarships — 18% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $60,787 ten years after enrolling — 49% above the typical college, against $23,699 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 47% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Mount Mercy University has an acceptance rate of 83%. This means most applicants gain admission, making it accessible for a diverse range of students. With an enrollment of 1,107, the campus offers a close-knit community where students can connect with peers and faculty.
Looking at the outcomes, graduates from Mount Mercy earn an average of $60,787 ten years after starting their careers. While the graduation rate stands at 57%, it's important to consider the pathways available for students who may need more time or support. The data on economic mobility isn’t available, but the focus on career-ready programs in business, health professions, education, psychology, and criminal justice suggests a commitment to equipping students for the workforce.
Financially, the net price of attendance is $20,168, with a median debt of $23,699 for graduates. This suggests a manageable debt load relative to potential earnings. Students who thrive here are likely those who appreciate a supportive environment and are focused on practical career outcomes, particularly in fields with strong job demand.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Mount Mercy University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mount Mercy University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,815
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 29%
- Applicants
- 1,569
- Admitted
- 1,181
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mount Mercy University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Mercy University is $40,878, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,168. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,070 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,699 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $40,878
- Out-of-State
- $40,878
- Avg Net Price
- $20,168
- Median Debt
- $23,699
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,070
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,294
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,883
- Family Income $110K+
- $25,244
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Mount Mercy University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Mount Mercy University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $60,787, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,871
- 8 Years
- $54,367
- 10 Years
- $60,787
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 83%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (66)
- 49%
- 100% (66)
- 49%
- 100% (66)
- 49%
- 100% (66)
- 49%
How Mount Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Mount Mercy University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mount Mercy University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,168/year ($80,672 total). Graduates earn $60,787 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,433,666 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,352,994 (17.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,699, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 57% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $80,672
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,433,666
- Net Return
- $1,352,994
- ROI Multiple
- 17.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,168
- Median Debt
- $23,699
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 57%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Mount Mercy University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Mercy University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.51%, well above the typical college. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.51%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $103,937
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,402,906
- Investment Income
- $-1,894,816
Top Programs
The fields Mount Mercy University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 31% $69,393 early-career
- Health Professions 28% $67,545 early-career
- Education 9% $46,350 early-career
- Humanities 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Criminal Justice 3% $39,967 early-career
- Social Sciences 3%
- Computer Science & IT 2% $74,862 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Mount Mercy University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mount Mercy University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 83%. The graduation rate is roughly 57%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mount Mercy University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Mercy University is $40,878, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,168. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,070 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,699 in federal student loans.
Is Mount Mercy University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $60,787, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Mount Mercy University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Mercy University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.51%, well above the typical college. About 5.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Mount Mercy University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Mercy University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Mount Mercy University.
- Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA · Close peer64% grad $59,274 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeSparkill, NY · Close peer58% grad $62,909 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Marietta CollegeMarietta, OH · Close peer60% grad $57,180 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Albright CollegeReading, PA · Close peer47% grad $58,700 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown, PA · Close peer59% grad $59,460 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD · Close peer62% grad $54,521 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Mount Mercy University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Mercy University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note