Management Information Systems and Services at Mount Mercy University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 suggests manageable repayment, though both figures here come from national benchmarks rather than Mount Mercy's actual graduate outcomes. Similar MIS programs across the country produce first-year earnings around $59,500, which would make the estimated $26,500 in debt—roughly half a year's salary—a reasonable burden. Iowa's MIS programs typically start graduates slightly lower at $58,200, so the national estimate may be optimistic for Cedar Rapids specifically.

The estimation reveals a practical challenge: we don't know if Mount Mercy's career services, local employer connections, or curriculum produce better or worse outcomes than the typical program. University of Northern Iowa, the only Iowa school with reported data, shows graduates earning $58,200—close to state norms but about $1,300 below the national figure used here. Mount Mercy's smaller size and 79% admission rate suggest a different student profile than larger state universities, which could affect both job placement and starting salaries in Iowa's tech market.

For families considering this program, the estimated numbers point to viable employment prospects, but the lack of school-specific data means you're essentially betting on Mount Mercy performing at least as well as the national average. Contact the program directly for concrete placement rates and employer partnerships in the Cedar Rapids area—those details matter more than estimates when you're writing the check.