Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

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

Graceland University Lamoni is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,102 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Graceland University Lamoni is located in Lamoni, IA (Remote Rural setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Graceland University Lamoni 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: Graceland University Lamoni 12:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Graceland University-Lamoni 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 Graceland University Lamoni than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($19,574 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 9.1% lower than at Graceland University Lamoni ($10,000 vs. $11,000).
• Graceland University Lamoni is 18.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,286 more per year; $20,950.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Graceland University-Lamoni than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,286 more per year; $20,950.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Graceland University Lamoni than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Graceland University Lamoni students is 247.4% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($28,754 vs. $8,276).

Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Graceland University-Lamoni 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 Graceland University-Lamoni.

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Graceland University-Lamoni).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Graceland University Lamoni 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Graceland University Lamoni 16/24; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Graceland University-Lamoni - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Graceland University-Lamoni students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Graceland University-Lamoni (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Graceland University-Lamoni vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Graceland University-Lamoni vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Graceland University-Lamoni 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 $6,400 more per year than Graceland University-Lamoni graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $3,544 lower median loan debt than Graceland University-Lamoni graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,544).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Graceland University-Lamoni graduates ($206 vs. $243).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Graceland University-Lamoni students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.