CSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

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

Chicago State University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

CSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 Chicago State University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($10,441 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 13.4% lower than at Chicago State University ($10,000 vs. $11,550).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 38.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $4,910 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.5% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Chicago State University (about $4,910 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 119.8% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($18,194 vs. $8,276).

CSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

CSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 $9,100 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $11,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($206 vs. $323).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 25%)

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.