Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Kate's

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with St Catherine University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Catherine University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (3,651 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); St Catherine University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Catherine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; St Catherine University 9:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Kate's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or St. Kate's? 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 St Catherine University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($20,918 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 18% lower than at St Catherine University ($10,000 vs. $12,188).
• St Catherine University is 191.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $33,790 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 191.3% higher at St. Kate's than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $33,790 more per year; $51,454.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Catherine University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Catherine University students is 384.4% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($40,092 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Kate's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or St. Kate's? 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 St. Kate's and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

• Incoming St. Kate's students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Mercy College of Health Sciences).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt Catherine University 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; St Catherine University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; St. Kate's - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Kate's students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than St. Kate's (91.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 18.8% at St. Kate's.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Kate's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and St. Kate's? 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 St Catherine University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,100 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than St. Kate's graduates ($20,000 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Kate's graduates ($206 vs. $289).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Kate's students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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.