Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Claflin University

Comparable Facts

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

Claflin University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,852 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); Claflin University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Claflin University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Claflin University 13:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Claflin University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Claflin University? 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 Claflin University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($17,272 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Claflin University are 5.2% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($9,480 vs. $10,000).
• Claflin University is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $618 more per year; $18,282.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Claflin University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $618 more per year; $18,282.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Claflin University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Claflin University students is 100.5% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($16,596 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Claflin University Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Claflin University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresClaflin University 840/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Claflin University 16/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Claflin University - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Claflin University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Claflin University (64.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 7.3% at Claflin University.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Claflin University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Claflin University? 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.

• Claflin University's six-year graduation rate is 40%. 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 $16,700 more per year than Claflin University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $30,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $12,184 lower median loan debt than Claflin University graduates ($20,000 vs. $32,184).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Claflin University graduates ($206 vs. $332).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Claflin University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 25%)

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.