Columbia College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago 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.

Columbia College Chicago is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (5,570 students vs. 869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Columbia College Chicago 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: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Columbia College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences than Columbia College ($28,313 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 51.5% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($10,000 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 93% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,424 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93% higher at Columbia College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,424 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 175.3% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($22,780 vs. $8,276).

Columbia College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresMercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Columbia College students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Columbia College (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

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

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and Mercy College of Health Sciences? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Columbia College Chicago's six-year graduation rate is 41%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Mercy College of Health Sciences.
• Graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,300), 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 Columbia 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 Columbia College graduates ($206 vs. $268).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 46%)

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.