Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Peru State College

Comparable Facts

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

Peru State College is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,492 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); Peru State College is in Peru, NE (Distant Rural setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Peru State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Peru State College 17:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Peru State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Peru State College? 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 Peru State College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($11,915 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 4.4% lower than at Peru State College ($10,000 vs. $10,464).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 104.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Peru State College (about $9,024 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 104.4% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Peru State College (about $9,024 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $8,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Peru State College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Peru State College students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($10,363 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Peru State College Admissions comparison

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

• Peru State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Peru State College - Open admission.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Peru State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Peru State College? 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.

• Peru State College's six-year graduation rate is 26%. 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 $9,400 more per year than Peru State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $975 lower median loan debt than Peru State College graduates ($20,000 vs. $20,975).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Peru State College graduates ($206 vs. $216).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Peru State College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 55%)

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.