Paine College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare Paine College in Augusta, GA with Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Mercy College of Health Sciences is larger than Paine College based on total student enrollment (869 students vs. 390 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Paine College is located in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Paine College 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: Paine College 11:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Paine College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Paine College 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 Paine College than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($15,935 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Paine College are 24.9% lower than at Mercy College of Health Sciences ($7,512 vs. $10,000).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than Paine College (about $3,068 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Mercy College of Health Sciences than at Paine College (about $3,068 more per year; $17,664.00 vs. $14,596.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Paine College than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Paine College students is 46.7% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($12,145 vs. $8,276).

Paine College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Paine College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 776/976.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Paine College 15/19; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Paine College - Test-free; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Paine College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.12) than students at Paine College (2.81).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Paine College (95.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.6% at Paine College vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

Paine College vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Paine College and Mercy College of Health Sciences? 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 $19,000 more per year than Paine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have a $15,750 lower median loan debt than Paine College graduates ($20,000 vs. $35,750).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Paine College graduates ($206 vs. $369).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Paine College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 15%)

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.