Briar Cliff University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Briar Cliff University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (947 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Briar Cliff University is located in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Briar Cliff University 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: Briar Cliff University 10:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Briar Cliff University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Briar Cliff University 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 Briar Cliff University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($23,263 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 13.2% lower than at Briar Cliff University ($10,000 vs. $11,518).
• Briar Cliff University is 109.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $19,292 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.2% higher at Briar Cliff University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $19,292 more per year; $36,956.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Briar Cliff University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Briar Cliff University students is 243.5% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($28,425 vs. $8,276).

Briar Cliff University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Briar Cliff University 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 Briar Cliff University.

• Briar Cliff University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Briar Cliff University - Open admission; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Briar Cliff University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).

Briar Cliff University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Briar Cliff University 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 $4,900 more per year than Briar Cliff University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Briar Cliff University graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Briar Cliff University graduates ($206 vs. $253).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Briar Cliff University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 66%)

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.