Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Cottey College

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy College of Health Sciences is larger than Cottey College based on total student enrollment (869 students vs. 254 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Cottey College is in Nevada, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cottey College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Cottey College 6:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Cottey College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Cottey 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 Cottey College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($14,704 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 11% lower than at Cottey College ($10,000 vs. $11,240).
• Cottey College is 56% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $9,898 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56% higher at Cottey College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $9,898 more per year; $27,562.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cottey College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cottey College students is 196.8% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($24,565 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Cottey College Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at Cottey College (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCottey College 1030/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Cottey College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Cottey College - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Cottey College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Cottey College (69.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 21.6% at Cottey College.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Cottey 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.

• Graduates from Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Cottey College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cottey College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($12,000 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Cottey College graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($124 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cottey College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.