Research.com
Mount Mercy University logo

Mount Mercy University

#955 in US ranking Cedar Rapids, IA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$57,202
Tuition & fees
$42,772
Avg. aid
$27,661
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
83%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
58%
Median salary
$58,229
1 yr after graduation

What does Mount Mercy University offer in terms of athletics?

Mount Mercy's varsity teams are the Mustangs and compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, rather than the NCAA. The university participates in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Varsity opportunities include sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, cross-country, track and field, golf and volleyball. A prospective athlete should check the current team roster and recruiting requirements for their specific sport, since offerings and roster openings can change. Varsity participation differs from recreational exercise or informal games: it involves team selection, organized practices and competition. Athletic financial assistance, if available to an applicant, must be confirmed through an individual offer rather than assumed from NAIA membership.

What student groups and Associations are available at Mount Mercy University?

Mount Mercy students can participate in organizations centered on representation, professional interests, identity and campus activities. Reported examples include the Student Government Association, Student Ambassadors, the Mount Mercy University Association of Nursing Students and the Black Student Union.

These groups serve different purposes. Student government provides a route into campus decision-making; a nursing association can connect students around a field of study; identity-based groups offer community and programming. A campus group's presence in a directory does not necessarily mean it meets in every term, so students looking for a specific activity should check the current roster and meeting schedule. Student-produced media, theater and choral activities provide other ways to participate outside a major.

Who studies at Mount Mercy University?

Mount Mercy enrolls about 1,417 students overall, making it a relatively small university. Its reported student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1, although that institution-wide ratio does not specify the size of any particular class.

Among new degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates, 240 were first-time students and 141 entered as transfers. About 68% of students were Iowa residents, while roughly 20% came from other U.S. states and 11% from other countries. Those proportions describe geographic origin, not a student's likelihood of being admitted or receiving aid.

The entering first-time class included 240 students in the admissions figures. Prospective students comparing campuses should consider both this scale and the mix of residential, commuting, transfer and graduate students; an overall enrollment total alone cannot describe every student's daily experience.

How does student life look like at Mount Mercy University?

Student life at Mount Mercy brings together a small-campus setting and a substantial commuting population. Reported housing figures place 47% of students on campus and 53% in the commuting group, so events and support services matter to students whose time on campus extends beyond scheduled classes.

Students can connect through activities, performances, service and shared academic interests. The university reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling, as well as services for veterans. New students should pay attention to orientation and their program's advising process, especially if they are transferring courses or balancing study with work. The availability and hours of a particular service may differ during breaks or outside the regular academic term.

What libraries are available to students at Mount Mercy University?

Busse Library is Mount Mercy's main campus library. Students can use it for study and research, including reserved study rooms, rather than relying only on textbooks or general web searches.

For an assignment requiring scholarly sources, library staff and the library's catalog and electronic resources are useful starting points. Students working remotely should check authentication instructions for licensed databases and journals. Busse Library is not reported to provide a round-the-clock study area, so anyone who needs late-night workspace should check current building hours and other available campus spaces.

Mount Mercy University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

1417

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

238

Member of Athletic Associations

NAIA

Total staff

64 full time, 70 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Mount Mercy University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 1,139
Graduate: 278

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 1,185
Part-time: 232

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 146
Men: 92

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 85
Black or African American: 63
White: 619
American Indian or Alaska Native: 3
Asian: 24
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 1
Two or more races: 109
Unknown: 67

Mount Mercy University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NAIA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

MenMen–

Basketball

BothBoth–

Bowling

BothBoth–

Cheerleading

BothWomen–

Cross-country running

Both––

Football

–Both–

Golf

Both––

Lacrosse

Women––

Racquetball

–Both–

Soccer

Both––

Softball

Women––

Tennis

–Both–

Track and field

Both––

Volleyball

BothBoth–

Weight lifting

–Both–

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles