Upper Iowa University (UIU) vs Mount Mercy University
Upper Iowa University and Mount Mercy University, both located in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences for prospective students. Upper Iowa University boasts a higher acceptance rate of 80%, compared to Mount Mercy University's 75%, indicating a slightly more accessible admissions process. While Mount Mercy University has a smaller student body, it offers a more diverse student population, with 30% of its students identifying as minorities compared to Upper Iowa University's 18%. Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including business, education, and nursing, but Mount Mercy University also features strong programs in health sciences and social work. With graduation rates of 45% and 50% respectively, both institutions demonstrate a commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Mount Mercy University |
![]() Upper Iowa University |
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Overview |
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Location | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Fayette, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Remote |
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% | 55.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.0% | 64.9% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | 855 - 1065 |
ACT range | N/A | 17 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 9.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 32.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,278 | 1,240 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,035 | 805 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 222 | 200 |
Yield rate | 21.4% | 24.8% |
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 | $48,058 |
Average net price | $25,345 | $22,888 |
Tuition | $35,540 | $32,589 |
Room & board | $10,428 |
Room/dormitory:
$4,364
Meal plan:
$5,046
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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 |
97.0%
Average amount $24,104 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
75.0%
Average amount $8,519 |
77.0%
Average amount $5,433 |
Students taking out private loans |
15.0%
Average amount $13,309 |
12.0%
Average amount $12,888 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,290
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
2,510
Men 40.3% Women 59.7% |
Graduate students |
290
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
521
Men 33.0% Women 67.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 14.0% | 72.5% |
International students | 4.8% | 3.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Rural: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 561 | 752 |
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 | Iowa Wisconsin Illinois Texas Minnesota |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 59.9% | 38.5% |
Dropout rate | 39.2% | 53.4% |
Transferred out | N/A | 6.4% |
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)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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