Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Shaw University

Comparable Facts

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

Shaw University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (964 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); Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Shaw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Shaw University 14:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Shaw University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Shaw 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 Shaw University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($16,445 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shaw University are 7.9% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($9,210 vs. $10,000).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shaw University (about $126 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Shaw University (about $126 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $17,538.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shaw University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (97% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shaw University students is 74.2% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($14,417 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Shaw University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Shaw 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 Shaw 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; Shaw University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Shaw University Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Shaw University (2.6).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Shaw University (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 4.1% at Shaw University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Shaw 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences earn a median of about $18,400 more per year than Shaw University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $18,000 lower median loan debt than Shaw University graduates ($20,000 vs. $38,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $186 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Shaw University graduates ($206 vs. $392).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Shaw University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 15%)

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.