Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Washburn University

Comparable Facts

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

Washburn University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (6,033 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); Washburn University is in Topeka, KS (Midsize City setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; Washburn University 15:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Washburn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or Washburn 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 Washburn University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($11,488 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 13.1% lower than at Washburn University ($10,000 vs. $11,501).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 77.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washburn University (about $7,719 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $9,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Washburn University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $3,285 more per year; $20,949.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washburn University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (95% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washburn University students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($9,781 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. Washburn University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; Washburn University - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman Washburn University 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 vs. Washburn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and Washburn University? 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 $5,100 more per year than Washburn University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washburn University graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($16,900 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Washburn University graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($174 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washburn University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 49%)

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.