Location: Cedar Rapids, IA•In-State Tuition: $39,070•Admission Rate: 79%•Avg SAT: 1120
Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,264
50th percentile
40th percentile in Iowa
Median Debt
$27,000
8% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.84 ManageableSample: 18 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Mount Mercy's biology program produces earnings below both the state median ($34,398) and what several competing Iowa schools deliver—Upper Iowa and Grand View graduates earn $11,000 more annually. At $32,264 first-year, these graduates are barely treading water against their $27,000 debt load, creating a tight margin for launching independent adult life in Cedar Rapids. The 40th percentile ranking among Iowa biology programs suggests this isn't just bad luck in the data—Mount Mercy graduates genuinely trail their in-state peers.

The program does keep debt reasonable relative to national biology programs (5th percentile), which matters given the modest starting salary. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.84 is manageable if earnings grow steadily, though biology bachelor's holders often need graduate school to significantly boost income. With fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset, individual outcomes vary more than at larger programs, but the pattern is clear: Iowa families have stronger options for biology degrees.

Parents should ask why Mount Mercy graduates earn $2,000 less than the state median when nearby schools produce significantly better outcomes. Unless there's a compelling non-financial reason—specific research opportunities, graduate school placement rates, or personal fit—this looks like overpaying for below-average results in a state with better alternatives.

Where Mount Mercy University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biology bachelors's programs nationally

Mount Mercy UniversityOther biology programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Mount Mercy University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Mount Mercy University earns $32k — 50th percentile among biology bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (26 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Mount Mercy UniversityCedar Rapids$39,070$32,264—$27,0000.84
Upper Iowa UniversityFayette$19,000$43,311—$27,0000.62
Grand View UniversityDes Moines$33,450$43,237$48,797$26,0000.60
Drake UniversityDes Moines$49,944$41,226$63,077$25,3430.61
Coe CollegeCedar Rapids$52,576$41,112$48,877$27,0000.66
Grinnell CollegeGrinnell$64,862$37,170$48,846$17,5000.47
National Median—$32,316—$25,0000.77

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$67,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mount Mercy University, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.