Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Benedict College

Comparable Facts

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

Benedict College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,691 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); Benedict College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedict College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Benedict College 13:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Benedict College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Benedict 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 Benedict College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($18,665 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedict College are 28.5% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($7,146 vs. $10,000).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Benedict College (about $224 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Benedict College (about $224 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $17,440.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Benedict College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (95% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Benedict College students is 61.1% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($13,335 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Benedict College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Benedict College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Benedict College and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

• Benedict College reports an open admissions policy.
• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Benedict College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresBenedict College 820/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Benedict College 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Benedict College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Benedict College Feb 15, 2027.
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Benedict College (95.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 8% at Benedict College.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Benedict College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Benedict College's six-year graduation rate is 26%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Mercy College of Health Sciences.
• Graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than Benedict College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $22,898 lower median loan debt than Benedict College graduates ($20,000 vs. $42,898).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $237 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedict College graduates ($206 vs. $443).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedict College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 13%)

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.