Mount Mercy University vs Saint Francis University
Mount Mercy University and Saint Francis University, both located in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Mount Mercy, a private Catholic university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (85%) compared to Saint Francis' 75%. While Mount Mercy's student body is predominantly female (63%), Saint Francis has a more balanced gender ratio. In terms of popular majors, Mount Mercy excels in nursing, education, and business, while Saint Francis is known for its strong programs in health sciences, business, and education. With a slightly higher graduation rate (62% vs. 59%), Saint Francis may have an edge in ensuring students complete their degrees. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table below, highlighting key differences between these two institutions. Explore the data and discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Mount Mercy University |
![]() Saint Francis University |
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Overview |
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Location | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Loretto, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Town: Fringe |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 85.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.0% | 73.3% |
Application fees | $30 | |
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 1,278 | 2,063 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,035 | 1,513 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 222 | 398 |
Yield rate | 21.4% | 26.3% |
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 | $53,992 | $61,110 |
Average net price | $25,345 | $28,883 |
Tuition | $35,540 | $38,852 |
Room & board | $10,428 |
Room/dormitory:
$6,532
Meal plan:
$7,076
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $24,399 |
100.0%
Average amount $26,960 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
75.0%
Average amount $8,519 |
61.0%
Average amount $5,240 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $13,309 |
29.0%
Average amount $19,827 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,290
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
2,552
Men 38.0% Women 62.0% |
Graduate students |
290
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
482
Men 29.3% Women 70.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 14.0% | N/A |
International students | 4.8% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Town: Fringe |
Dormitory capacity | 561 | 1,284 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Iowa Illinois Arizona Minnesota Wisconsin | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.9% | 74.0% |
Dropout rate | 39.2% | 26.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
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