Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. SC

Comparable Facts

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

Mercy College of Health Sciences is larger than SC based on total student enrollment (869 students vs. 694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mercy College of Health Sciences is located in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting); Sterling College is in Sterling, KS (Remote Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sterling College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Sterling College 8:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. SC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or SC? 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 Sterling College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($23,531 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sterling College are 4.1% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($9,586 vs. $10,000).
• Sterling College is 90.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,036 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.8% higher at SC than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $16,036 more per year; $33,700.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sterling College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sterling College students is 186% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($23,673 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. SC Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at SC (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSterling College 938/1123.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Sterling College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; SC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SC Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SC students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than SC (48.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 30.4% at SC.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. SC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and SC? 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 $10,000 more per year than SC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $4,663 lower median loan debt than SC graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,663).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SC graduates ($206 vs. $255).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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.