Mount Mercy University vs Loras College
Mount Mercy University and Loras College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences. Mount Mercy, a private Catholic university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (85%) compared to Loras' 75%. While Loras has a slightly larger student body, Mount Mercy's student population is more diverse, with a higher percentage of female students and a greater representation of ethnicities. Both universities excel in certain academic areas; Mount Mercy is known for its nursing and health sciences programs, while Loras is recognized for its business and liberal arts offerings. With comparable graduation rates, both institutions ensure that their students are well-prepared for their chosen careers. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths and determine which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Loras College |
![]() Mount Mercy University |
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Overview |
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Location | Dubuque, Iowa | Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 78.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 72.0% | 81.0% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 2,086 | 1,278 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,501 | 1,035 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 296 | 222 |
Yield rate | 19.7% | 21.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $45,563 | $53,992 |
Average net price | $20,068 | $25,345 |
Tuition | $33,500 | $35,540 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,000
Meal plan:
$4,760
|
$10,428 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $26,765 |
100.0%
Average amount $24,399 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
64.0%
Average amount $5,320 |
75.0%
Average amount $8,519 |
Students taking out private loans |
17.0%
Average amount $8,551 |
15.0%
Average amount $13,309 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,296
Men 57.3% Women 42.7% |
1,290
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
Graduate students |
90
Men 28.9% Women 71.1% |
290
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 69.3% | 14.0% |
International students | 2.0% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 783 | 561 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Illinois Iowa Wisconsin Florida Missouri | Iowa Illinois Arizona Minnesota Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.0% | 59.9% |
Dropout rate | 31.5% | 39.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
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