Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Northwestern Health Sciences University

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern Health Sciences University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,101 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); Northwestern Health Sciences University is in Bloomington, MN (Small City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern Health Sciences University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Northwestern Health Sciences University 6:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Northwestern Health Sciences University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Northwestern Health Sciences 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 Northwestern Health Sciences University ($28,313 vs. $36,272).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 33.2% lower than at Northwestern Health Sciences University ($10,000 vs. $14,962).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 47% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern Health Sciences University (about $5,649 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,015.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Northwestern Health Sciences University (about $5,649 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,015.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Northwestern Health Sciences University (63% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students is 130.5% larger than aid received by Northwestern Health Sciences University students ($8,276 vs. $3,591).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Northwestern Health Sciences University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Northwestern Health Sciences 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 Northwestern Health Sciences 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; Northwestern Health Sciences University - Not reported.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Northwestern Health Sciences 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 Northwestern Health Sciences University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,600 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern Health Sciences University graduates have a $11,700 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($8,300 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern Health Sciences University graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($85 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern Health Sciences University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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.