Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Alverno College

Comparable Facts

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

Alverno College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,317 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); Alverno College is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Alverno College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Alverno College 13:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Alverno College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Alverno 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 Alverno College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($24,425 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 6.4% lower than at Alverno College ($10,000 vs. $10,688).
• Alverno College is 93% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,422 more per year; $34,086.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93% higher at Alverno College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,422 more per year; $34,086.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alverno College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alverno College students is 227.3% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($27,086 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Alverno College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Alverno 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 Alverno 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; Alverno College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Alverno College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.27) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Alverno College (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 16.6% at Alverno College.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Alverno 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 $8,300 more per year than Alverno College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $39,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $11,693 lower median loan debt than Alverno College graduates ($20,000 vs. $31,693).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alverno College graduates ($206 vs. $327).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alverno College 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.