
1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402, USA


Mount Mercy University provides a variety of athletic opportunities through its participation in NCAA Division III and membership in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The university fields teams in multiple sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. These programs offer student-athletes the chance to compete at a collegiate level while maintaining a focus on academics and personal development.
The athletic facilities support both training and competition, offering venues suited for the diverse range of sports. Student-athletes benefit from experienced coaches who emphasize skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The university's athletic department strives to create an environment where students can balance their athletic commitments with their academic responsibilities effectively.
In addition to varsity sports, Mount Mercy encourages students to engage in intramural and recreational activities, providing options for those who want to stay active without the demands of varsity competition. This approach aims to foster a well-rounded college experience that promotes health, wellness, and community involvement.
Mount Mercy University offers a variety of student organizations catering to diverse interests. Prospective students can engage with groups such as the Student Ambassadors, Mount Mercy University Association of Nursing Students, Cheerleaders, Black Student Union, and the Student Government Association. These organizations provide opportunities for leadership, community involvement, and cultural engagement, enriching the overall student experience.
Mount Mercy University has a diverse student body with a combined total enrollment of 358 freshmen and transfer students, positioning the institution in the lower third nationally in terms of size for these groups. Freshmen number 208, while transfer students account for 150, reflecting an average level of new student intake. The university's students span a wide range of ages. Among undergraduates, the majority are young adults between 18 and 21 years old, but there is also significant representation across older age brackets, including students in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Graduate students tend to be older, primarily aged 22 to 49, indicating opportunities for adult learners and career changers.
The ethnic composition of the student population shows moderate diversity. White students make up the largest group at 727 individuals, followed by students identifying as two or more races at 163. Hispanic students number 31, African American students 39, and Asian students 22. Other racial categories were either not reported or data is unavailable. Overall, these figures situate Mount Mercy University near the lower national percentiles for racial diversity but suggest some representation of various backgrounds.
Student life at Mount Mercy University offers a variety of cultural and extracurricular activities that cater to diverse interests. The campus supports a newspaper, drama productions, and a chorus, enriching the community beyond academics. Although the university does not have a campus radio, band, or television station, students have access to health and psychological counseling services, as well as a veterans affairs office.
The university's campus spans 40 units of space, providing room for student engagement and activities. While Mount Mercy University does not offer legal services or a women's center, its commitment to student well-being is evident through available health resources. Athletics at the university compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), affording student-athletes competitive opportunities without NCAA affiliation.
With a student-faculty ratio of 13 to 1, students can expect a reasonably accessible academic environment. The enrollment numbers place the university in the lower 35th percentile nationally, contributing to a close-knit campus atmosphere. Additionally, Mount Mercy University attracts individuals from 37 countries, reflecting a moderately international student body and a culturally diverse campus environment.
Mount Mercy University has a single library facility known as Busse Library, which provides various physical and digital resources to support students' research and study needs. While the university's library collection includes approximately 48,027 books, this number ranks in the lower 40th percentile among peer institutions, suggesting a more modest print collection.
The number of subscriptions held by the library is notably high, with over 51,000 subscriptions, placing it in the top 15% nationally. This offers students access to a broad range of periodicals and scholarly materials. The library also maintains 85 databases, a figure around the median compared to other universities, providing access to diverse academic resources.
Regarding electronic books, the university's collection comprises about 254,701 eBooks, which is comparatively small and falls within the bottom 30% of institutions. Students benefit from both physical and digital access, and Busse Library offers study rooms and staffed services during established hours, although it does not provide all-day access. Additionally, the library participates in shared collections, enhancing the available resources beyond its physical holdings.
Total enrollment
1451Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
202Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
237 full time, 103 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Busse LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes