Oakwood University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

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

Oakwood University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,226 students vs. 869 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakwood University is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Oakwood 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: Oakwood University 14:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Oakwood University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakwood 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 Oakwood University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($26,730 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakwood University are 6.2% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($9,384 vs. $10,000).
• Oakwood University is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $4,848 more per year; $22,512.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at Oakwood University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $4,848 more per year; $22,512.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakwood University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (99% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakwood University students is 61.4% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($13,356 vs. $8,276).

Oakwood University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakwood 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 Oakwood 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: Oakwood University - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Oakwood University (2.99).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Oakwood University (45.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.1% at Oakwood University vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Oakwood University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakwood 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.

• Oakwood University's six-year graduation rate is 35%. 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 $10,000 more per year than Oakwood University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Oakwood University graduates ($20,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakwood University graduates ($206 vs. $320).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Oakwood University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 27%)

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.