Loras College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

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

Loras College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,189 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loras College is located in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Loras College 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: Loras College 12:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Loras College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loras 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 Loras College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($21,631 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 Loras College ($10,000 vs. $11,000).
• Loras College is 125.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $22,160 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.5% higher at Loras College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $22,160 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 248.4% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($28,835 vs. $8,276).

Loras College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loras College 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 Loras College.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loras College - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Loras College students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Mercy College of Health Sciences (99.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.6% at Loras College vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

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

How do outcomes compare for Loras College 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 Loras College earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy College of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 66%)

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.