Blackburn College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy College of Health Sciences is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (869 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Blackburn College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Mercy College of Health Sciences? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blackburn College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($18,460 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 0.9% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($9,915 vs. $10,000).
• Blackburn College is 59.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $10,485 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.4% higher at Blackburn College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $10,485 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 135.1% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($19,456 vs. $8,276).

Blackburn College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Mercy College of Health Sciences? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Mercy College of Health Sciences and Blackburn College.

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Blackburn College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Blackburn College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.23) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Blackburn College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Mercy College of Health Sciences? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($20,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blackburn College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.