Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Lakeland University

Comparable Facts

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

Lakeland University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (2,813 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); Lakeland University is in Plymouth, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lakeland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Lakeland University 12:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Lakeland 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 Lakeland University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($24,253 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 17.6% lower than at Lakeland University ($10,000 vs. $12,140).
• Lakeland University is 89.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $15,732 more per year; $33,396.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.1% higher at Lakeland University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $15,732 more per year; $33,396.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lakeland University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lakeland University students is 196.7% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($24,559 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Lakeland University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Lakeland University - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Lakeland University (3.0).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Lakeland University (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 16.1% at Lakeland University.

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

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

• Lakeland University's six-year graduation rate is 42%. 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 $3,400 more per year than Lakeland University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $5,458 lower median loan debt than Lakeland University graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,458).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lakeland University graduates ($206 vs. $263).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lakeland University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.