Iowa State University vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Iowa State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,356 in 4.9 years versus 7.8 years at Mercy College of Health Sciences, on median earnings of $63,386 vs $62,234 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Iowa State University | Mercy College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,589 | $26,924 |
| Total net cost | $74,356 | $107,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,386 | $62,234 |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $14,745 |
| Payback | 4.9 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $226,164 | $169,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Iowa State University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Iowa State University, at $18,589 a year after aid versus $26,924 — a gap of $8,335 a year, or $33,340 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Iowa State University or Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Iowa State University graduates report a median $63,386 ten years after entry, $1,152 more than the $62,234 at Mercy College of Health Sciences. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Iowa State University or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mercy College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,745 in federal loans versus $22,869 at Iowa State University, a difference of $8,124. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Iowa State University, against 66% at Mercy College of Health Sciences. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.