Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with University of Wisconsin River Falls in River Falls, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin River Falls is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (5,243 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); University of Wisconsin River Falls is in River Falls, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin River Falls is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin River Falls than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($14,769 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin River Falls are 20.2% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($7,982 vs. $10,000).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 96.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (about $8,656 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $9,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.1% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at University of Wisconsin River Falls (about $194 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $17,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin River Falls than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (81% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students is 98.2% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin River Falls students ($8,276 vs. $4,176).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

• Incoming University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Mercy College of Health Sciences).
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; University of Wisconsin River Falls 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Wisconsin-River Falls students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than University of Wisconsin-River Falls (81.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 25.1% at University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. University of Wisconsin-River Falls Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and University of Wisconsin-River Falls? 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 $3,300 more per year than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $2,725 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,725).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates ($206 vs. $234).
• More University of Wisconsin-River Falls graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mercy College of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.