Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. MWSU

Comparable Facts

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

Missouri Western State University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (3,716 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); Missouri Western State University is in Saint Joseph, MO (Small City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Western State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Missouri Western State University 15:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. MWSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or MWSU? 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 Missouri Western State University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($13,126 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 18.8% lower than at Missouri Western State University ($10,000 vs. $12,311).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 71.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MWSU (about $7,358 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $10,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.1% higher at MWSU than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,202 more per year; $20,866.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Western State University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (96% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Missouri Western State University students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($9,245 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. MWSU Admissions comparison

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

• Missouri Western State University reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; MWSU - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman MWSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. MWSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and MWSU? 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than MWSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $1,818 lower median loan debt than MWSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,818).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWSU graduates ($206 vs. $225).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MWSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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.