Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Gustavus Adolphus College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gustavus Adolphus College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,906 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); Gustavus Adolphus College is in Saint Peter, MN (Remote Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Gustavus Adolphus College 12:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($26,094 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 15.3% lower than at Gustavus Adolphus College ($10,000 vs. $11,804).
• Gustavus Adolphus College is 217.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $38,412 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 217.5% higher at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $38,412 more per year; $56,076.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gustavus Adolphus College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Gustavus Adolphus College students is 400.8% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($41,450 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Admissions comparison

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

• 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; Gustavus Adolphus College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Gustavus Adolphus College Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Gustavus Adolphus College students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Gustavus Adolphus College (61%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 15.2% at Gustavus Adolphus College.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Gustavus Adolphus College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($20,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gustavus Adolphus College graduates ($206 vs. $279).
• More Gustavus Adolphus College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy College of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 66%)

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.