Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
78.8% Acceptance Rate
Mount Mercy University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
78.8%Acceptance Rate
3.5Avg GPA
1120Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$52,436Annual Cost
$60,787Grad Salary
25.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.8%
Avg GPA
3.5
Avg SAT
1120
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1080–1150
ACT Middle 50%
19–25
Need-Based Aid
25.9% receive Pell
Mount Mercy University is a private, Catholic, liberal arts institution in Iowa known for its commitment to academic excellence, service, and character development. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a supportive and engaged campus community that encourages critical inquiry and personal growth. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a meaningful and reliable choice for students seeking to prepare for leadership.
Mount Mercy University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Mount Mercy University is inclusive by design: 78.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 78.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.05
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Mount Mercy University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mount Mercy University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Mount Mercy College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Mount Mercy College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Mount Mercy College is 3.5. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.20 and 3.5? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.70–3.90.Mount Mercy College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.50 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.30 – 3.49
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.10 – 3.29
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.09
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Mount Mercy does not accept the Common Application; it uses its own institutional application.
- Nursing major requires a separate spring-semester application beyond general admission, plus CNA proof, background check, and Mandatory Reporter training.
- RN-to-BSN admission GPA is 3.0, but sub-3.0 applicants can be conditionally admitted pending a passing grade in NU 242.
- Small campus (~1,450 students), founded by the Sisters of Mercy, NAIA athletics.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Mount Mercy College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Mount Mercy University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Mount Mercy University (Mount Mercy College) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Mount Mercy College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Mount Mercy College Without SAT or ACT?
Mount Mercy College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Mount Mercy University Average SAT Score: 1120
Admitted students at Mount Mercy University average a 1120 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1120 — Less Competitive
A 1120 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1150 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Mount Mercy University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1080? A retake is worth it at Mount Mercy College — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1120 | 1080 | 1150 |
A score under 1080 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1150+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Mount Mercy University (Mount Mercy College) with a 1150 SAT?
At 1150, your SAT is squarely in Mount Mercy College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Mount Mercy University (Mount Mercy College) ACT Requirements
Mount Mercy College's admitted students average an ACT of 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 22 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 18 | 26 |
| ACT English | 21 | 18 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 19 | 25 |
Can I get into Mount Mercy University with a 25 ACT?
At 25, you're in the top quarter of Mount Mercy College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Mount Mercy College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Mount Mercy College
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Mount Mercy College takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply Directly - Mount Mercy Doesn't Take the Common App
Mount Mercy uses its own institutional application, not the Common App. Your Common App essay and activities list won't transfer over automatically, so budget separate time to complete Mount Mercy's own form.
Pre-Nursing Students: Expect a Second Application in Spring
Being admitted to Mount Mercy as a freshman does not admit you to the nursing major. You file a separate nursing-major application in the spring of your first year - start lining up your CNA proof, background check, and Mandatory Reporter training well before that deadline.
Get Your CNA Certification Lined Up Before Sophomore Year
The nursing major requires proof of a completed CNA course within three years, or current work as a CNA. Knock this out senior year of high school or the summer before college so it's already satisfied when you apply to the major.
RN-to-BSN Applicants Below 3.0 Aren't Automatically Out
The stated admission GPA for RN-to-BSN is 3.0, but applicants below that can still be admitted to the university and conditionally admitted to the major, provided they pass NU 242 (Concepts in Baccalaureate Nursing) with a C or better. Don't assume a sub-3.0 GPA disqualifies you.
Expert Insight:
Students often treat Mount Mercy's easy general admission (no required essay) as if it equals nursing-program admission, then get blindsided by the separate spring application, CNA requirement, and background check - any one of which can delay their program start by a full year if not prepared in advance.
Mount Mercy College Profile
Full Name
Mount Mercy University (Mount Mercy College)
City
Cedar Rapids
State
Iowa
ZIP Code
52402-4797
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Mount Mercy College Degree Worth It?
At $52,436/year against a $60,787 median graduate salary, Mount Mercy College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $61,700, and graduates see a 2.59% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Mount Mercy College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $52,436/year at Mount Mercy College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Mount Mercy College, 25.9% receive a Pell Grant and 57% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Mount Mercy College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Mount Mercy College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Mount Mercy College graduates report a median income of $60,787, about 50% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Mercy University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Mount Mercy University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Mercy University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Mount Mercy College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Mount Mercy College Admissions
Mount Mercy University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $60,787/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Mount Mercy University runs high — roughly $52,436+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
25.9% of Mount Mercy University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Mount Mercy University's acceptance rate is 78.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Mount Mercy University students is 3.5, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.2 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Mount Mercy University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.1 or below makes admission tougher at Mount Mercy University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Mount Mercy University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1120, and within the 1080–1150 range, keeps you competitive.
Mount Mercy University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026 — that's Mount Mercy University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.