Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Alma College

Comparable Facts

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

Alma College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,197 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Alma College is in Alma, MI (Distant Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alma College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Alma College 14:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Alma College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Alma 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 Alma College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($22,094 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 29.5% lower than at Alma College ($10,000 vs. $14,180).
• Alma College is 180.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $31,888 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.5% higher at Alma College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $31,888 more per year; $49,552.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alma College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alma College students is 402.9% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($41,618 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Alma College Admissions comparison

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

• 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; Alma College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alma College students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Alma College (57%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 9.6% at Alma College.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Alma 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 Alma College earn a median of about $900 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 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 Alma 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 Alma College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Alma College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy College of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.