Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. William Penn University

Comparable Facts

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

William Penn University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,425 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); William Penn University is in Oskaloosa, IA (Remote Town setting).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. William Penn University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1; William Penn University 15:1.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. William Penn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mercy College of Health Sciences or William Penn 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 William Penn University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($22,740 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Penn University are 17.8% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($8,222 vs. $10,000).
• William Penn University is 68.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $12,086 more per year; $29,750.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.4% higher at William Penn University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $12,086 more per year; $29,750.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Penn University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Penn University students is 144% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($20,194 vs. $8,276).

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. William Penn University Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at William Penn University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWilliam Penn University 880/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24; William Penn University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional; William Penn University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at William Penn University (3.0).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than William Penn University (51.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. 41.9% at William Penn University.

Mercy College of Health Sciences vs. William Penn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mercy College of Health Sciences and William Penn 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 $2,800 more per year than William Penn University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,600), 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 William Penn University 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 William Penn University graduates ($206 vs. $248).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former William Penn 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.