At $23,435/yr net price, Mount Mercy University graduates earn $60,787/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $26,787/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,435 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $93,740 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $60,787/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$26,787/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,699 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,255/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,779/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,217/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,021/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,996/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,666 | $34,594 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $63,005 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $58,402 | $23,708 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $56,847 | $23,558 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $52,822 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $47,846 | $21,359 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $25,982 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,682 | $26,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,689 | $26,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $39,009 | $26,625 |
The Risk Factor
55.9% of students at Mount Mercy University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Mount Mercy University gives you a solid financial return, with median debt at graduation roughly matching a single year's net price. You borrow about what you earn back quickly, and median earnings a decade out clear $60,000, which is respectable for a private school in Cedar Rapids.
Computer science is the strongest bet here, paying the most of any program and topping business by several thousand dollars a year. Business and nursing both land in the upper $50,000s, and nursing fits the Cedar Rapids and eastern Iowa healthcare market, where hospital demand is steady. Accounting and finance sit lower. Finance graduates earn the least of the top five, under $48,000, while still carrying real debt, so it pays off more slowly than the other tracks.
The main risk is completion. With a 56% graduation rate and 70% retention, a meaningful share of you leave without a degree but still owe money, and the debt without the earnings bump is where this school hurts people. That's the outcome to avoid.
This school works well if you're heading into computer science, nursing, or business and plan to finish. If you're drawn to lower-paying majors and would need to borrow heavily, the math gets thinner.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay the least, and the aid there is genuine. But the $30,000-$48,000 bracket actually pays the most of any group, more than families earning over $110,000. If you're in that lower-middle range, run your own numbers carefully before committing, because you may not get the discount you'd expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Mercy University worth the cost?
Mount Mercy University offers mixed value with graduates earning $60,787 annually after 10 years against a $23,435 yearly cost. Business and computer science programs show stronger returns, but the 56% graduation rate means many students don't complete their degrees.
What are the best paying majors at Mount Mercy University?
Business Administration leads at $68,666 annually, followed by Computer Science at $63,005. Nursing and accounting programs earn in the mid-$50,000s, which is reasonable for these fields.
How much debt do Mount Mercy University graduates have?
Typical graduates leave with $23,699 in debt, which is manageable given the $60,787 median earnings. The debt-to-income ratio works out to about 39%, which falls within acceptable ranges.
Does Mount Mercy University have good financial aid?
The net price of $23,435 suggests decent financial aid for a private school. However, with a 75% acceptance rate and 56% graduation rate, the school may struggle to retain students despite aid packages.