Mount Mercy University vs Saint Mary's College of California
Mount Mercy University and Saint Mary's College of California, both private institutions with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Mount Mercy, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a small, Catholic university with an acceptance rate of 85% and a focus on liberal arts and healthcare programs. Saint Mary's, situated in Moraga, California, is a larger, coeducational college with an acceptance rate of 75% and strengths in business, education, and the sciences. While both institutions provide a supportive learning environment, their unique characteristics may appeal to different students. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which institution better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Mount Mercy University |
![]() Saint Mary's College of California |
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Overview |
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Location | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Moraga, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 78.0% | 88.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.0% | 70.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$50
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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 | 3,523 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,035 | 2,469 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 222 | 421 |
Yield rate | 21.4% | 17.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | 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 | $71,116 |
Average net price | $25,345 | $25,022 |
Tuition | $35,540 | $51,568 |
Room & board | $10,428 | $16,300 |
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 $37,096 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
75.0%
Average amount $8,519 |
75.0%
Average amount $5,473 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $13,309 |
3.0%
Average amount $19,233 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,290
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
2,199
Men 42.0% Women 58.0% |
Graduate students |
290
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
966
Men 35.5% Women 64.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 14.0% | 13.9% |
International students | 4.8% | 2.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 561 | 1,522 |
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 | California Washington Colorado Oregon Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.9% | 73.1% |
Dropout rate | 39.2% | 26.3% |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
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