Mount Mercy University vs Clarke University
Mount Mercy University and Clarke University, both esteemed institutions in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences. Mount Mercy, a private Catholic university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (85%) compared to Clarke's 75%. Mount Mercy's student body is more diverse, with 33% of students identifying as minorities, while Clarke's student body is predominantly white (87%). Clarke, on the other hand, has a slightly higher graduation rate (62%) compared to Mount Mercy's 58%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two universities, including popular majors, tuition costs, and financial aid opportunities. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Clarke University |
![]() 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 | 65.0% | 78.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.8% | 81.0% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | 900 - 1120 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 23 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 8.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,006 | 1,278 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,781 | 1,035 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 183 | 222 |
Yield rate | 10.3% | 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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $52,241 | $53,992 |
Average net price | $25,414 | $25,345 |
Tuition | $35,740 | $35,540 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,900
Meal plan:
$5,500
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$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 $23,968 |
100.0%
Average amount $24,399 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
81.0%
Average amount $8,599 |
75.0%
Average amount $8,519 |
Students taking out private loans |
27.0%
Average amount $12,203 |
15.0%
Average amount $13,309 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
717
Men 54.5% Women 45.5% |
1,290
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
Graduate students |
171
Men 22.2% Women 77.8% |
290
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 14.0% |
International students | 4.6% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 536 | 561 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | 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 | 8:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.5% | 59.9% |
Dropout rate | 6.2% | 39.2% |
Transferred out | 39.3% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (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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