Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (5,689 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); Columbia College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Columbia College 20:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Columbia 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 Columbia College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($21,530 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 4.5% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($9,552 vs. $10,000).
• Columbia College is 46.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $8,162 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.2% higher at Columbia College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $8,162 more per year; $25,826.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (91% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 91.9% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($15,882 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

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

• Columbia 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; Columbia College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Columbia 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 $5,600 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $2,034 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,034).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($206 vs. $227).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 40%)

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.