Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

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

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (8,214 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); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Southwest Minnesota State 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 Southwest Minnesota State University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($15,547 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 9.3% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,000 vs. $11,028).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 70.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southwest Minnesota State University (about $7,303 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.5% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $7,303 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (94% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($8,674 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Southwest Minnesota State 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Southwest Minnesota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Southwest Minnesota State 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 $6,200 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $1,678 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($206 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy College of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.