Rockford University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

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

Rockford University is larger than Mercy College of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (1,241 students vs. 869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rockford University is located in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting); Mercy College of Health Sciences is in Des Moines, IA (Midsize City setting).
• Rockford 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: Rockford University 10:1; Mercy College of Health Sciences 7:1.

Rockford University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rockford 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 Rockford University than Mercy College of Health Sciences ($23,642 vs. $28,313).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mercy College of Health Sciences are 12.4% lower than at Rockford University ($10,000 vs. $11,420).
• Rockford University is 113.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $20,116 more per year; $37,780.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113.9% higher at Rockford University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (about $20,116 more per year; $37,780.00 vs. $17,664.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rockford University than at Mercy College of Health Sciences (98% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rockford University students is 210.2% larger than aid received by Mercy College of Health Sciences students ($25,671 vs. $8,276).

Rockford University vs. Mercy College of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rockford University 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 Rockford University.

• Incoming Mercy College of Health Sciences students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Rockford University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rockford University 850/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rockford University 17/23; Mercy College of Health Sciences 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rockford University - Test optional; Mercy College of Health Sciences - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Rockford University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Mercy College of Health Sciences (3.12).
• Mercy College of Health Sciences has a higher acceptance rate (99.7%) than Rockford University (92.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.4% at Rockford University vs. 25.7% at Mercy College of Health Sciences.

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

How do outcomes compare for Rockford University 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 $2,800 more per year than Rockford 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 $5,000 lower median loan debt than Rockford University graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rockford University graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rockford University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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.