Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (6,660 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); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Metropolitan State 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 Metropolitan State University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($16,615 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 37% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($10,000 vs. $15,864).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 79.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $7,824 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.5% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Metropolitan State University (about $7,824 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (82% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($8,538 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University 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; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Metropolitan State University (98.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 33.8% at Metropolitan State University.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $2,008 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($17,992 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($186 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State 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.