University of Iowa vs Mount Mercy University: which has better ROI?
University of Iowa has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,124 in 5.5 years versus 6.5 years at Mount Mercy University, on median earnings of $64,762 vs $60,787 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Iowa | Mount Mercy University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,531 | $20,168 |
| Total net cost | $90,124 | $80,672 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,762 | $60,787 |
| Median debt | $22,500 | $23,699 |
| Payback | 5.5 yrs | 6.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $237,916 | $167,868 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Iowa or Mount Mercy University?
Mount Mercy University, at $20,168 a year after aid versus $22,531 — a gap of $2,363 a year, or $9,452 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Iowa or Mount Mercy University graduates earn more?
University of Iowa graduates report a median $64,762 ten years after entry, $3,975 more than the $60,787 at Mount Mercy University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Iowa or Mount Mercy University?
University of Iowa: its completers carry a median $22,500 in federal loans versus $23,699 at Mount Mercy University, a difference of $1,199. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University of Iowa, against 58% at Mount Mercy University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.