Buena Vista University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Buena Vista University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,890 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Buena Vista University is located in Storm Lake, IA (Remote Town setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Buena Vista 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: Buena Vista University 13:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Buena Vista University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($19,704 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 11.7% lower than at Buena Vista University ($10,000 vs. $11,330).
• Buena Vista University is 136.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $24,134 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.6% higher at Buena Vista University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $24,134 more per year; $41,798.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Buena Vista University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Buena Vista University students is 315.6% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($34,397 vs. $8,276).

Buena Vista University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista University.

• Incoming Buena Vista University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Mercy College of Health Sciences).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Buena Vista University 20/24; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Buena Vista University - Test optional; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Buena Vista University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Buena Vista University (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at Buena Vista University vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Buena Vista University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Buena Vista 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 $6,200 more per year than Buena Vista University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $4,022 lower median loan debt than Buena Vista University graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,022).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Buena Vista University graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buena Vista University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

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.