Edward Waters University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, FL with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Edward Waters University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,177 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Edward Waters University is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Edward Waters 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: Edward Waters University 14:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Edward Waters University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Edward Waters 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 Edward Waters University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($12,029 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Edward Waters University are 14.3% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($8,571 vs. $10,000).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Edward Waters University (about $1,298 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $16,366.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Edward Waters University (about $1,298 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $16,366.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Edward Waters University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Edward Waters University students is 76.3% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($14,588 vs. $8,276).

Edward Waters University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Edward Waters 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 Edward Waters University.

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Edward Waters University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Edward Waters University 820/990.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Edward Waters University 14/18; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Edward Waters University - Required; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Edward Waters University (2.64).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Edward Waters University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3% at Edward Waters University vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Edward Waters University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Edward Waters 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 $19,600 more per year than Edward Waters University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $27,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Edward Waters University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 14%)

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.