Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Academy College

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy College of Health Sciences is larger than Academy College based on total student enrollment (869 students vs. 56 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Academy College is in Bloomington, MN (Small City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Academy College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Academy College 8:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Academy College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Academy College? 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 Academy College ($28,313 vs. $29,093).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Academy College are 14.6% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($8,539 vs. $10,000).
• Academy College is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $1,016 more per year; $18,680.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Academy College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $1,016 more per year; $18,680.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Academy College (63% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students is 73.1% larger than aid received by Academy College students ($8,276 vs. $4,781).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Academy College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Academy College? 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 Academy College and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

• Academy College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Academy College - Open admission.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Academy College? 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 $8,000 more per year than Academy College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $7,884 lower median loan debt than Academy College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,884).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Academy College graduates ($206 vs. $288).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Academy College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 38%)

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.