Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Friends University

Comparable Facts

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

Friends University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,961 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); Friends University is in Wichita, KS (Large City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Friends University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Friends University 12:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Friends University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Friends 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences than Friends University ($28,313 vs. $28,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 11.5% lower than at Friends University ($10,000 vs. $11,295).
• Friends University is 93.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,528 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.6% higher at Friends University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,528 more per year; $34,192.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Friends University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Friends University students is 160.7% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($21,579 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Friends University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Friends 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 Friends University 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 Friends University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresFriends University 960/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Friends University 15/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Friends University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Friends University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Friends University (55.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 44.7% at Friends University.

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

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

• Friends University's six-year graduation rate is 27%. 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 $900 more per year than Friends University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $4,512 lower median loan debt than Friends University graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,512).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Friends University graduates ($206 vs. $253).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Friends University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 54%)

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.