Loras College vs Mercy College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Mercy College of Health Sciences has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $107,696 in 7.8 years versus 8.3 years at Loras College, on median earnings of $62,234 vs $58,289 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Loras College | Mercy College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,716 | $26,924 |
| Total net cost | $82,864 | $107,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,289 | $62,234 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $14,745 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $115,716 | $169,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Loras College or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Loras College, at $20,716 a year after aid versus $26,924 — a gap of $6,208 a year, or $24,832 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Loras College or Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Mercy College of Health Sciences graduates report a median $62,234 ten years after entry, $3,945 more than the $58,289 at Loras College. 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, Loras College or Mercy College of Health Sciences?
Mercy College of Health Sciences: its completers carry a median $14,745 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Loras College, a difference of $11,255. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Loras College, 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.