Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Palmer College of Chiropractic

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palmer College of Chiropractic is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (2,161 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); Palmer College of Chiropractic is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Palmer College of Chiropractic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Palmer College of Chiropractic 9:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Palmer College of Chiropractic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Palmer College of Chiropractic? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palmer College of Chiropractic are 12.6% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($8,744 vs. $10,000).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 93.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palmer College of Chiropractic (about $8,544 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $9,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.7% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Palmer College of Chiropractic (about $8,544 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $9,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Palmer College of Chiropractic (63% vs. 0%).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Palmer College of Chiropractic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Palmer College of Chiropractic? 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 Palmer College of Chiropractic 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; Palmer College of Chiropractic - Not reported.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Palmer College of Chiropractic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Palmer College of Chiropractic? 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 Palmer College of Chiropractic earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,000 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palmer College of Chiropractic graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($7,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Palmer College of Chiropractic graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($77 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palmer College of Chiropractic students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 38%)

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.