National Louis University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare National Louis University in Chicago, IL with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

National Louis University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (8,915 students vs. 869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• National Louis University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• National Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: National Louis University 17:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

National Louis University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, National Louis University or Mercy College of Health Sciences? 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 National Louis University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($13,150 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 32% lower than at National Louis University ($10,000 vs. $14,700).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 39% more expensive for in-state tuition than National Louis University (about $4,959 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at National Louis University (about $4,959 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at National Louis University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (83% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by National Louis University students is 33.6% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($11,056 vs. $8,276).

National Louis University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresMercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: National Louis University - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at National Louis University (2.8).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than National Louis University (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at National Louis University vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

National Louis University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for National Louis University and Mercy College of Health Sciences? 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.

• National Louis University's six-year graduation rate is 26%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Mercy College of Health Sciences.
• Graduates from National Louis University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, National Louis University graduates have a $163 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($19,837 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, National Louis University graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($205 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 44%)

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.