Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Andrews University

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy College of Health Sciences is larger than St. Andrews University based on total student enrollment (869 students vs. 676 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); St. Andrews University is in Laurinburg, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Andrews University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; St. Andrews University 16:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Andrews University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or St. Andrews 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 Mercy College of Health Sciences than St. Andrews University ($28,313 vs. $29,474).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 17.9% lower than at St. Andrews University ($10,000 vs. $12,180).
• St. Andrews University is 83.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $14,724 more per year; $32,388.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.4% higher at St. Andrews University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $14,724 more per year; $32,388.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Andrews University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (79% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Andrews University students is 156.2% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($21,207 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Andrews University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or St. Andrews University? 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 St. Andrews University and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

• St. Andrews University 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; St. Andrews University - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman St. Andrews University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.13) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. St. Andrews University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and St. Andrews University? 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.

• St. Andrews University's six-year graduation rate is 43%. 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 $11,000 more per year than St. Andrews University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than St. Andrews University graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Andrews University graduates ($206 vs. $232).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Andrews University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 41%)

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.