GSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

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

Governors State University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (4,397 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Governors 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: Governors State University 11:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

GSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU 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 Governors State University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($12,756 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 14.8% lower than at Governors State University ($10,000 vs. $11,736).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 47.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $5,660 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.2% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Governors State University (about $5,660 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Governors State University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (81% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 38.4% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($11,455 vs. $8,276).

GSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

GSU vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU 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 $4,800 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($17,250 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($178 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 48%)

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.