Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. UIU

Comparable Facts

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

Upper Iowa University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (3,941 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); Upper Iowa University is in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Upper Iowa University 25:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. UIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or UIU? 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 Upper Iowa University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($20,426 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 1.2% lower than at Upper Iowa University ($10,000 vs. $10,121).
• Upper Iowa University is 10.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $1,811 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at UIU than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $1,811 more per year; $19,475.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Upper Iowa University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (97% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Upper Iowa University students is 64.3% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($13,596 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. UIU Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUpper Iowa University 970/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; Upper Iowa University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; UIU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UIU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than UIU (96.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 33.9% at UIU.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. UIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and UIU? 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 $5,300 more per year than UIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than UIU graduates ($20,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIU graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 50%)

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.