Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (4,505 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); Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 18:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($22,032 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 10.7% lower than at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota ($10,000 vs. $11,200).
• Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is 155.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $27,416 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 155.2% higher at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $27,416 more per year; $45,080.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students is 327.1% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($35,348 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota 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; Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's University of Minnesota May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's University of Minnesota students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (92.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 18.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Saint Mary's University of Minnesota? 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 Saint Mary's University of Minnesota earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates ($206 vs. $240).
• More Saint Mary's University of Minnesota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy College of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 66%)

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.