Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Virginia Union University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA with Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Union University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,646 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); Virginia Union University is in Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Union University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Virginia Union University 16:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Virginia Union University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($11,483 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 9.2% lower than at Virginia Union University ($10,000 vs. $11,016).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Union University (about $214 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Virginia Union University (about $214 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $17,450.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Union University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (88% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Union University students is 111.7% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($17,524 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Virginia Union University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Virginia Union 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 Virginia Union University and Mercy College of Health Sciences.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresVirginia Union University 850/885.
• 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; Virginia Union University - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Virginia Union University (2.71).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Virginia Union University (98%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 14.3% at Virginia Union University.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Virginia Union University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Virginia Union 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.

• Virginia Union University's six-year graduation rate is 29%. 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 $14,100 more per year than Virginia Union University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $33,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $13,750 lower median loan debt than Virginia Union University graduates ($20,000 vs. $33,750).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Union University graduates ($206 vs. $348).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Union University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 19%)

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.