Northeastern Illinois University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern Illinois 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.

Northeastern Illinois University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (5,734 students vs. 869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mercy College of Health Sciences is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern Illinois University 9:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($14,140 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 3.8% lower than at Northeastern Illinois University ($10,000 vs. $10,390).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 42.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $5,281 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $12,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.7% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $5,062 more per year; $22,726.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (87% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 55.6% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($12,876 vs. $8,276).

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Northeastern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northeastern Illinois University 15/21; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Northeastern Illinois University (74.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern Illinois 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.

• Northeastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate is 23%. 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 $7,400 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($14,500 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates ($149 vs. $206).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 56%)

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.